Three Islamic militants expected to be executed soon for the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people said today that they had no regrets.

American and Philippine experts began DNA tests today to determine whether remains found in a jungle grave are of an elusive terror suspect in the 2002 Bali bombings who authorities believe was killed in a clash with US-backed troops.

GUNBATTLES between al-Qaida-linked guerrillas and the Philippine military in the south killed at least one marine and wounded 24 troops, the military said yesterday, as the country’s president said the government was on the verge of wiping out the militants.

Three militants on death row for their roles in the 2002 Bali bombings defended the blasts in a government-backed TV documentary aimed at blunting support for extremist Islam in Indonesia.

INDONESIAN security forces raided the suspected hideout of one of Asia’s most wanted terrorist suspects yesterday, fighting a gun and grenade battle with militants inside.

Abu Bakar Bashir, the alleged spiritual head of an al-Qaida-linked terror group, will not have his prison sentence reduced to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, the Indonesian government said today.

An Indonesian militant was today sentenced to death for helping plan and carry out last year’s suicide bombing at the Australian Embassy.

The first suspect to face charges in the 2004 bombing of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta was sentenced to three and a half years in prison today for assisting the attack’s perpetrators.