Fresh fighting in S Philippines

Troops are searching for several key militants

Fighting is continuing on an island in the southern Philippines where troops are searching for Islamic militants.

A 5,000-strong military force has been on the remote island of Jolo since late July trying to flush out rebels from the militant Abu Sayyaf group.

They are also seeking two suspects wanted for the 2002 Bali bombings and thought to be sheltering there.

On Wednesday, two Philippine soldiers were killed and three injured in fresh clashes, an official said.

Troops were flown to a mountainous area of the island where the rebels were thought to be and fighting broke out, military command centre head Colonel Allan Luga said.

He said US troops helped evacuate the wounded. A number of US troops are based in Jolo, where they are involved in counter-terrorism training.

Col Luga said that radio intercepts indicated that the militants had suffered casualties.

Targets

The soldiers are searching for three key figures - Abu Sayyaf leader Khadaffy Janjalani and Bali bombing suspects Dulmatin and Umar Patek.

Abu Sayyaf is the smallest and most violent militant group in the Philippines. The US has listed it as a terrorist organisation and says it has links to al-Qaeda.

The two Indonesians are thought to belong to Jemaah Islamiah, a regional Islamic network which has also been linked to al-Qaeda.

Col Luga said the operation would continue until the rebels were arrested.

On Monday, six Philippine soldiers were killed in fighting on the island and at least 19 wounded.