Military chief confirms killing of al-Qaida-linked militant

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

Jainal Antel Sali Jr, popularly known as Abu Sulaiman – a top leader of the Abu Sayyaf rebel group – was shot dead yesterday 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.