MANILA, Jan 27, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Nine Islamist militants including three suspects in a Catholic mass bombing in the southern Philippines have been killed in a clash with troops, the military said Saturday. "Of the nine, three had direct participation in the MSU bombing," Barroquillo said, referring to the December 4 blast at Mindanao State University in Marawi that left four people dead and dozens wounded. Barroquillo said three other bombing suspects were still on the run including the alleged mastermind, a former student at the university who went by the alias of "Engineer". Army Scout Rangers, trained in jungle combat, crept up to a cluster of mountain farmhouses where the suspects had sought refuge to evade the post-bombing manhunt. But smaller bands of Muslim fighters opposed to the peace deal remain, including militants professing allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 27, 2024 09:47 UTC