Marines kill Bali bomber, 7 others

MANILA, Philippines - Marines killed eight suspected terrorists, including an Indonesian jihadist linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), in Sultan Kudarat yesterday.

Indonesian Ibrahim Alih, alias Abdul Fatah, was one of the suspects in the Oct. 12, 2002 Bali bombing, according to Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command spokesman.

The identities of the seven other slain suspects are still being determined, he added.

The eight belonged to the Ansar Al Khalifa, an ISIS terror cell operating in various areas of Mindanao, Tan said.

Formed in Sarangani, the terrorist cell is named after its founder, Ansar al Khalifa, he added.

Marines clashed with the terrorists at around 5:40 a.m. at Sitio Sinapingan, Barangay Butril, Palembang, Sultan Kudarat, Tan said.

Soldiers recovered during clearing operations the bodies of the dead terrorists, including that of Abdul Fatah, whom the Indonesian government identified as a jihadist and former member of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

Troops also recovered a Barrette Cal.50 sniper rifle, an M-16 rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, ICOM radios and five pieces of ISIS flag.

At least three Syrian members of ISIS have slipped into the country and joined the Khalifa cell, reports said.