22 soldiers wounded in clash with Abu Sayyaf in Sulu

Twenty-two soldiers were wounded in a clash with Abu Sayyaf members in Sulu on Thursday morning, the military said.

Troops from 41st Infantry Battalion clashed with about 40 terrorists under sub-leader Idang Susukan and Ben Tattoo in Barangay Langhub, in Patikul town around 9:30 a.m., a military report said.

The encounter lasted about 45 minutes, which led to the death of a suspected terrorist identified as Alpata Abdurasa.

The military said that 17 of the injured personnel were wounded by M203 shrapnel, three from gunshot wounds, and two were from recoilless rifle back blast. They were brought to a military hospital for medical attention.

Additional troops were deployed to go after the terrorists who fled. /ee