MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine bomber planes and troops have assaulted a stronghold of al-Qaida-linked militants in a new offensive targeting a key terrorism suspect in Southeast Asia.
Regional military spokesman Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang says troops found the bodies of three unidentified militants after the assaults Sunday in the Abu Sayyaf group's mountain stronghold near Indanan town in southern Sulu province.
Police Chief Inspector Amil Baanan says the targets of the offensive included Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan. He is a U.S.-trained Malaysian engineer long hunted by U.S. and Filipino authorities for his alleged role in past bombings and other terror attacks.
Washington has offered $5 million reward for the capture or killing of Marwan.
