ZAMBOANGA CITY — An individual believed to be a bomb-making expert of the Daulah Islamiyah (DI) Hassan Group was killed by state troops while another individual was arrested during an encounter in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
According to Joint Task Force Central acting commander Major General Roberto Capulong, soldiers from the 40th Infantry Battalion clashed with the DI-Maguindanao in the forested areas of Barangay Dicalungan in Ampatuan town.
Capulong said the soldiers were conducting a focused military operation when they spotted the group which immediately turned into a gunfight.
The soldiers were in the area patrolling after they received reports that the DI-Hassan Group was planning to conduct a hostile activity against the Community Support Program — Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism teams deployed in the area of responsibility of the 601st Infantry Brigade.
Capulong identified the slain terrorist as Khamhed Akan Kambal, alias Mheds, a known bomb maker of the DI-Hassan Group operating in Maguindanao.
The body of Kambal was recovered during a clearing operation at the encounter site.
Meantime, another DI-Hassan Group member — identified as Nasrudin Sali Blah — was nabbed by soldiers after he was found in the area during the clearing operation.
Also recovered at the encounter site was one cal. 45 pistol, and two improvised explosive devices, explosive components, personal belongings and propaganda materials, Capulong said.
The remains of Kambal was turned over to the barangay officials of Dicalungan for proper disposition while Blah was turned over to the Ampatuan town police for proper disposition.
Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr commended the troops for successfully thwarting the terror plots of the DI-Hassan Group.