At least 5 Abu Sayyaf terrorists were killed and 5 soldiers were wounded in a firefight in Barangay Upper Binuang, Talipao, Sulu on Thursday, an official said.

Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, said the bandits were led by Abu Sayyaf subcommander Idang Susukan.

Sobejana said the continuous intensified offensives of the military against the bandits in Sulu has added pressure to the Abu Sayyaf to release their captives sans ransom payment.

Thirty minutes after the gunbattle, Sobejana said two abducted Indonesian crew members were rescued in the village of Bunot, Indanan, Sulu.

He identified the rescued Indonesians as Saparuddin Koni and Sawal Maryam.

The duo was aboard an SUV when they were intercepted by the government forces along the road of Barangay Bunot.

Sobejana said they are still trying to extract information from the two Indonesian crew members on how they escaped their abductors.

The two Indonesians are expected to be brought to Zamboanga City Thursday.