ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines: Hundreds of soldiers launched an assault on two jungle encampments of Abu Sayyaf rebels in the southern Philippine province of Basilan on Wednesday, killing at least 20 gunmen and seizing bombs that had been set to explode, military officials said. Officials said troops stormed an Abu Sayyaf camp at around 3 a.m. in the village of Silangkum in Ungkaya Pukan town, sparking fierce clashes that left a still unknown number of military casualties.
About 500 army troops, marines and police special commandos targeted Abu Sayyaf chieftains Khair Mundus and Furuji Indama, but it was not immediately clear if they were among the dead, said Pama, who helped oversee the assault. Military officials have blamed the two for past bombings and kidnappings. All the dead were recovered by troops in Baguindan. Soldiers and marines may find more slain rebels when they scour Silangkum on Thursday, said a military officer.
— With input from agencies
