6 soldiers killed in pursuit of Dawla Islamiyah-Maute Group

From the Gold Star Daily (Feb 19, 2024): 6 soldiers killed in pursuit of Dawla Islamiyah-Maute Group (By Froilan Gallardo)

SIX Army soldiers were killed while four others were wounded last Sunday while pursuing the militant Dawla Islamiyah-Maute Group responsible for the December 3 bombing of Mindanao State University.

Armed Forces spokesperson Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said the military operations against the militants are still ongoing in the mountains between the two provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur as of press time Monday.

Trinidad said six soldiers were killed while four others were wounded in the clash in Barangay Ramain, Munai town in Lanao del Norte last Sunday.

He said two militants were killed while blood stains and two rifles were recovered at the encounter site.

Army 103rd Brigade spokesperson Lt. Colonel Miondas said a 15-man team from the 44th Infantry Battalion was pursuing the militants when they figured in a clash with 15 members of the armed group in Barangay Ramain.

Miondas said the firefight is still ongoing as nearby army units were ordered to reinforce the soldiers while the wounded were brought to Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro for treatment.

AFP Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. said the soldiers were hunting the militants since they bombed a Catholic Mass in Mindanao State University leaving four dead and dozens wounded last December 3.

He said the soldiers hunting the militants have neutralized 18 suspects including alleged MSU bombing mastermind Khadafi Mimbesa alias “engineer” who was killed by the military along with eight others last January.

“However, six of our soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice while four others were wounded,” Brawner said.

He said the Army troops hunting the militants are motivated to finish the job of hunting all the militants.

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