(UPDATE) 6 soldiers, 2 leftist rebels wounded in Davao clash

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - Six government troops were wounded in a clash with leftist rebels following a landmine blast believed to have been set off by the latter in southern Philippines yesterday afternoon, military said today.

Captain Ernest Carolina, spokesperson for the Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division, said the incident happened at Kapatagan village, Digos City in southern Philippine province of Davao del Sur around 2:30 p.m. Monday.

Captain Carolina told Xinhua by phone that troops from the Army 's 39th Infantry Battalion were on combat patrol at Kapatagan village when they were hit by an improvised bomb planted by New People's Army (NPA) guerrillas.

An hour-long fire fight then ensued that resulted in the wounding of six army soldiers. "Two rebels were also reported wounded in the engagement," said Carolina, adding that pursuit operations were now being launched against them.

According to Carolina, one government soldier also went missing in the height of the clash, but he surfaced late Monday night, with minor injuries.