MANILA, Philippines — The grandson of an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader has been killed in a pursuit launched by military forces in Talipao, Sulu, Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said on Sunday.
Sobejana said that the ASG member, identified as alias “Vikram”, was killed during an operation by the Joint Task Force Sulu conducted Saturday night in Barangay Bilaan.
Vikram was a know improvised explosive device (IED) maker, and the grandson of ASG leader Radullan Sahiron.
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Vikram was also involved in the bombing of Jolo’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in January 2019, as well as the 1st Brigade Combat Team blast in June 2019.
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Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, added that Vikram was also involved in the latest clash between the military and the ASG in Patikul, Sulu, where 11 soldiers died while 14 others were wounded.
The operation was to intercept two ASG members on board a motorcycle, but the bandits fired at military troops, which then led to soldiers to retaliate.
Military troops then recovered the remains of the ASG member that was left laying dead in Barangay Lambana.
Vikram’s remains were then brought to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for proper disposition, Sobejana said. With reports from Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao