An Abu Sayyaf Group member died while four others were wounded in an encounter with government troops in Barangay Sandah in Patikul, Sulu Monday afternoon, the military said.

The firefight between the military and the group of Mundi Sawadjaan lasted five minutes, killing one of the terrorists, the military said in a statement.

More terrorists are believed to have been wounded in the encounter, while no government trooper was hurt.

Recovered after the encounter were personal belongings of the retreating Abu Sayyaf members.

The military has launched a pursuit operation against the retreating terrorists.

“Military troops escalate their deliberate and focused operations against Abu Sayyaf militants, days after the spate of offensives in Sulu," Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command chief, said.