A library photo of an army patrol in Basilan province in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
BASILAN PROVINCE (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 9, 201) – Government forces overran an Abu Sayyaf camp following fierce fighting that killed 7 gunmen and a soldier in Basilan province in the southern Philippines, army commander Carlito Galvez said.
Galvez said troops from the Joint Special Operations Group – 18th Infantry Battalion and 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion – captured the camp in the town of Al-Barka following fierce clashes with around 70 gunmen.
He said troops raided the Abu Sayyaf lair used as springboard for terror attacks in the province and other areas in Mindanao. The camp was being used by terror leaders Nurhassan Jamiri, Isnilon Hapilon, Khair Mundos and Puruji Indama.
Galvez said the operation was aimed at pre-empting an Abu Sayyaf plot to bomb civilian targets in Basilan and Zamboanga. He said troops recovered two improvised explosives and destroyed many bomb components in the Abu Sayyaf camp. (Mindanao Examiner)
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