Philippines: 24 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) jihadists and 4 army soldiers killed in clashes in Lanao del Sur
An Indonesian jihadist, 24 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and four Army soldiers were killed in heavy fighting since Saturday as part of a three-week offensive against the bandit group in various parts of Mindanao.
The Indonesian terrorist was identified by a source as Mohammad Muktar, who was operating under the BIFF’s Abdullah Makapaar, alias Commander Bravo.
The Indonesian and two local bandits were killed after soldiers from the Army’s 51st Infantry Battalion repulsed an attack on a military post in Bayabao Poblacion, Butig, Lanao del Sur Saturday evening.
Muktar was the second Indonesian terrorist killed since Sucipto Ibrahim Ali, a member of the Mujahidin Indonesia Timur, one of the 10 foreign jihadists with apparent links to the Islamic State that slipped into the country and were hiding in Mindanao.