MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Troops were pursuing a group of Muslim rebels Tuesday who attacked multiple army outposts in the southern Philippines, leaving seven people dead and paralyzing a major highway that was in the path of rebel sniper fire.

More than 200 fighters from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement launched simultaneous attacks on army camps and detachments in four towns in Maguindanao province and two outposts in North Cotabato province late Sunday.