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Saturday, August 26, 2006
Military pounds Abu Sayyaf lair with artillery
By Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Military offensive has been intensified in the Sulu hinterland with government forces stepping up their attack against the Abu Sayyaf group reportedly giving shelter to two Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists involved in the Bali bombings in Indonesia.
A military official disclosed that Joint Task Force Comet, tasked to pursue the terrorists, has launched artillery attacks on Abu Sayyaf lairs after heavy fighting erupted Wednesday in Mount Sinumaan, Barangay Danag, Patikul, Sulu.
The Joint Task Force Comet, headed by Brigadier General Alexander Aleo, commands two brigades, one from the Army and one from the Marines in Sulu.
At least two soldiers were killed while 14 others were wounded in Wednesday's clash between Army Scout Rangers and the heavily armed Abu Sayyaf Group.
Lieutenant Colonel Susthenes Valcorza, information officer of the Armed Forces Southern Command, disclosed that two rocket-firing MG-520 helicopters were immediately dispatched to launch air strikes against the bandits, after heavy fighting broke out again around 9:30 a.m. Friday.
Valcorza said the Abu Sayyaf positions were pounded with artillery shells in support to advancing ground troops after the pilots of the two MG-520 helicopters encountered poor visibility.
Fighting also ensued before sunrise on Thursday in Barangay Darayan, also in Patikul town, as troops pressed on the Abu Sayyaf bandits.
Valcorza said it was not immediately known as to how many Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed during the separate clashes and the subsequent artillery strikes.
He said the wounded soldiers were airlifted to a military hospital in this city for treatment. No identities were released, as their next of kin have to be notified first.
"The government offensive will continue until Sulu will finally be rid of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf," he said.
The offensive was launched August 1 after some 200 Abu Sayyaf and JIs were seen converging in the outskirts of Indanan town.
The offensive was, however, shifted to the towns of Patikul and Talipao after the terrorists fled to the two places.
Another report said the Abu Sayyaf suffered 11 killed since the start of the offensive. (Sunnex)
(August 26, 2006 issue)
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