Manila, Dec 6 (IANS): At least five Abu Sayyaf militants were killed and seven injured Saturday as security forces launched an attack in Phiippines' Sulu province.
Alan Arrojado, commander of the Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS), said the government security forces launched the offensive in a village of Talipao town, Xinhua reported.
He said the troops attacked the militants led by Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan while they were preparing to move out.
The 400-strong Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), founded in the early 1990s by extremists, is a terrorist group operating in Philippines.
The ASG is known for indulging in criminal activities such as kidnappings, bombings and beheadings in the region.