Basilan fighting leaves 10 casualties

BASILAN – At least 10 rebels and soldiers were killed and wounded in fierce clashes Wednesday between security and Abu Sayyaf forces in the restive province of Basilan in southern Philippines, a military spokesman told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

Captain Roy Trinidad said troops assaulted a rebel strong hold in Baiwas village in Sumisip town and clashed with about 60 gunmen. The fighting killed one soldier and two rebels, he said, adding another soldier and six more Abu Sayyaf gunmen were reported wounded.

“One soldier was killed and another is wounded in the clash. Two Abu Sayyaf were also killed and six others wounded in the armed encounter in Sumisip,” Trinidad said. “Troops are still pursuing the Abu Sayyaf.”

Trinidad said the military operation is aimed at weakening the Abu Sayyaf in Sumisip, a known stronghold of the rebel group. “The encounter transpired on the identified stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf,” he said.

It was not immediately known if troops recovered the bodies of slain rebels. The military and police blamed the Abu Sayyaf to the spate of terror attacks and ransom kidnappings in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

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