Abu Sayyaf bomb expert killed in Basilan military operation

Soldiers turn over the remains of slain Abu Sayyaf leader Mudzimar Sawadjaan to the local government in Basilan for proper Islamic burial. (Photo courtesy of Army 101st Infantry Brigade)

ISABELA CITY, Basilan — The notorious bomb expert of the Abu Sayyaf Group was killed in a military operation between the towns of Tipo-Tipo and Tuburan in Basilan on Saturday night.

Brigadier General Alvin Luzon, commander of the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade, identified the slain local terror leader as Mudzimar Sawadjaan, also known as Mundi.

“He was killed in an armed encounter with government troops while he was trying to leave the island province. Initially, the slain terrorist was intercepted by the government operating on maritime patrol in the coastal areas of Basilan,” Luzon said.

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The encounter happened between Barangay Banah in Tipo-Tipo, and Barangay Lahi-lahi in Tuburan, at around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 2.

Sawadjaan is one of the Abu Sayyaf leaders operating in Sulu. He was reportedly spotted in Basilan early March this year along with an Indonesian teenager Ahmad Rullie, and another aide known as Dodong after feeling the heat from pursuing troops in Sulu.

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Luzon described Sawadjaan as “a notorious terrorist, a bomb expert, the mastermind and architect of suicide bombings who perpetrated several atrocities in Sulu province.”

The Army turned over the remains of Sawadjaan to the local government for proper burial under Islamic rites.

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