Troops bombard Abu Sayyaf lairs

Troops bombard Abu Sayyaf lairs

PHILIPPINES: Philippine troops pounded suspected lairs of Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern province of Sultan Kudarat on Wednesday, where the group's leader was believed to be hiding.

Soldiers were also searching a labyrinth of caves near the town of Palimbang where Abu Sayyaf chief Khadaffy Janjalani may be hiding, the military's southern command said.

The troops began shelling rebel targets in the area on Tuesday using 105-mm Howitzer cannons and rockets. Government airplanes were also dropping bombs in the area to flush out the rebels.

There were no immediate reports of rebel casualties, however.

Troops in the southern Philippine were told to step up the offensive against the Abu Sayyaf after two guerrillas captured last week confessed the group was plotting fresh bombings. --AFP