Police commandos load body bags containing the remains of their comrades killed in a clash with Muslim rebels, in Mamasapano, on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, on January 26, 2015 (PHOTO: Mark Navales/AFP)
A militant suspected of involvement in the 2002 Bali bombing, Zulkifli bin Hir, was “likely killed” in a Philippines operation that resulted in the death of over 40 commandos and eight militants, according to officials.
The operation was an attempt to arrest two highly wanted militants, bin Hir, a Malyasian member of Jemaah Islamiah (linked to al Qaeda) and Filipino Abdul Basit Usman. The two were reportedly taking refuge with the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), reports Reuters.
Bin Hir had a USD5 million bounty on his head and was one of the most wanted terrorists in the country.
Philippines chief of special forces police was suspended because of the deadly operation with such a high fatality account, the interior minister said yesterday. The operation had reportedly not been cleared by top police officials.
