2 soldiers killed, 2 others hurt in Lanao del Sur clash

Pagayawan in Lanao del Sur (Image from Google Maps)

MARAWI CITY — Fighting erupted Monday afternoon between government troops and Islamic State-inspired militants in Lanao del Sur, leaving two soldiers dead and two others wounded.

The clashes, which is still ongoing, started at around 3:00 p.m. in the town of Pagayawan near Marawi which militants held for five months in 2017.

Col. Romeo Brawner, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, said soldiers encountered remnants of Maute gunmen around 3:00 p.m., leaving two soldiers dead and two others wounded.

Brawner said the soldiers were running after the group of Abu Dar in the remote village when the fighting broke out.

“Fighting is ongoing. We have confirmed casualties,” he said.

Humam Abdul Najib, alias Abu Dar, a senior militant who helped plan and carry out the takeover of Marawi, managed to escape with his men. /atm