Three Abu Sayyaf militants were killed and two Philippine soldiers injured in a clash that broke out Thursday in Basilan province in the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.Authorities said security forces were pursuing two of the Abu Sayyaf most notorious leaders, Puruji Indama and Nurhasan Jamiri, in Tipo-Tipo town when they encountered the militants and killed three of them.
Marine Capt. Maria Rowena Muyuela said, "At least three Abu Sayyaf members were killed and two soldiers wounded in the clash in Tipo-Tipo and the operation is continuing in Basilan province."
Capt. Franco Salvador Suelto said troops were scouring the town’s hinterlands where the group fled.