ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 21, 2014) – At least six soldiers were wounded in fierce clashes Thursday with Abu Sayyaf militants in the restive province of Basilan in the Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines, officials said.
Officials said Abu Sayyaf gunmen led by Puruji Indama ambushed soldiers belonging to the 18th Infantry Battalion in Ungkaya Pukan town sparking a firefight. The militants also detonated an improvised explosive to slow down the soldiers.
“At least six of our soldiers were wounded in the fighting,” said Capt. Franco Suelto, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division.
He said troops were pursuing Indama’s group. It was not immediately known if there were enemy casualties, he said.
The clash occurred just a day after security forces arrested two wanted Abu Sayyaf militants – Nur Hassan and Ustadz Alih –in Zamboanga. The two, both natives of Basilan, were being investigated by the police in Zamboanga City.
Authorities did not say whether the two men were on a mission or planning to launch attacks in Zamboanga, where suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen recently kidnapped a grocery owner, Michelle Panes, in Labuan village. (With a report from Ely Dumaboc)
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