Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Philippines confirm top al-Qaida-linked militant killed

Another REAL baddy guy takes a dirt nap

MANILA, Philippines - A top al-Qaida-linked militant, long wanted by U.S. and Philippine authorities for deadly terror attacks, has been killed in a clash with troops in a major blow to his rebel group, the military said Wednesday.

Jainal Antel Sali, popularly known as Abu Sulaiman - a top leader of the Abu Sayyaf rebel group - was fatally shot Tuesday in a fierce gunbattle with army special forces on the mountainous southern island of Jolo, military chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said, confirming earlier reports of the militant's death.

Esperon warned Sulaiman's death could set off retaliatory attacks, but the military was ready.

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