Abu Sayyaf ‘bomb courier’ killed in Basilan

LAMITAN, Basilan, Philippines — A suspected Abu Sayyaf bomb courier was killed in an alleged shootout with the military in this city on Wednesday night.

Adil Akarab, a follower of slain Abu Sayyaf leader Furuji Indama, managed to slip past a checkpoint, prompting government troopers to launch pursuit operations, Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Joint Task Force Basilan and 101st Brigade commander, said.

Gobway said soldiers put up the checkpoint after receiving reports that an Abu Sayyaf bandit will transport either an improvised explosive device (IED) or anti-personnel mine from Tipo-Tipo.

Gobway said the troops cornered the suspect in Barangay Sabong.

Police and explosives ordnance disposal personnel recovered an IED and an M16 rifle from the fatality.