Bali ‘Bomb Maker’ May Have Been Shot
ICC Note: As the battles in the Philippines simmer, the government claims to have wounded key terrorist leaders associated with organizations who have a history of persecuting Christians.
8/16/07 Phillipines (TheAge) – Troops in the Philippines believe they have wounded fugitive terror suspect Dulmatin who is alleged to have helped make the deadly bombs used in the 2002 Bali attacks.
It is believed Dulmatin – an Indonesian electronics expert linked to Jemaah Islamiah – was shot during a fierce gunbattle with troops on the southern island of Jolo last week, Philippines military chief of staff General Hermogenes Esperon said.
Abu Sayyaf commander Umbra Jumdail is also believed to have been wounded during the clash near Jolo’s townships of Maimbung and Indanan, Esperon said, citing reports from troops and villagers.
“It’s not yet confirmed, but it’s very likely,” Esperon told reporters
Dulmatin and another Indonesian militant, Umar Patek, have reportedly been given sanctuary on Jolo by Abu Sayyaf commanders Radulan Sahiron and Umbra Jumdail, whose forces – along with Moro National Liberation Front guerillas – killed 25 soldiers in an ambush and clashes a week ago.
The two Indonesians, believed to be key operatives of JI, have long been hunted by US, Philippine and Indonesian authorities over the Bali attacks.
They are believed to have fled in 2003 to the southern Philippine region of Mindanao , where they provided bomb-making and religious training and helped plot attacks with local militants, according to the military.
Washington has offered a $US10 million ($A12.2 million) reward for Dulmatin’s capture and $US1 million ($A1.2 million) for Patek.
