KABUL: (Middle East Press) At least 43 people have lost their lives in clashes between police forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the troubled southern Philippines.
Security sources said at least six members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and 37 police officers were killed during a gun battle in the town of Mamasapano on the southern island of Mindanao, on Sunday.
Several police forces and MILF members were also injured following the clashes.
Senior government officials said the violence started after security forces attempted to capture two MILF commanders in the troubled town in Maguindanao Province.
The security forces launched the operation to arrest MILF leaders Zulkifli bin Hir and Basit Usman. Authorities have offered a reward of 5 million dollars for the arrest of Malaysian Zulkifli, and 1 million dollars for the capture of Usman, a Filipino. The Sunday operation, however, did not result in the dread of the two.
