Thursday, September 07, 2006
2 soldiers, 2 Muslim militants killed in fresh clashes (4:15 p.m.)
MANILA -- At least two soldiers and two Muslim militants were killed in fresh fighting on a southern island, the military said Thursday, as it prepared to send reinforcements for a month-long US-backed offensive.
The latest casualties came after six RP marines were killed and 19 wounded on Jolo island Monday in one of the biggest recent operations against leaders of the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf and two Indonesian militants from the regional group Jemaah Islamiyah.
Colonel Allan Luga of the armed forces command center said two soldiers were killed and three wounded on Wednesday, while one militant was shot dead before dawn Thursday. The body of another guerrilla believed to have been killed on Wednesday also was recovered Thursday.
Two Abu Sayyaf members were captured on Tuesday, he said. (AP) |
