Bali bomber wounded in Jolo raid — military

A top Indonesian bomb expert wanted for the 2002 bombings in Bali, Indonesia was wounded after Army Special Forces clashed with an Abu Sayyaf band in Talipao, Sulu last Jan. 16, the military reported yesterday.

According to 1Lt. Almirante Mijares, leader of the Army troops that killed last week Abu Sayyaf spokesman Jainal Antel Sali Jr., also known as Abu Solaiman, Indonesian terrorist Dulmatin was seriously wounded in the fierce three-hour fighting at Mt. Dajo in Talipao.

The US Embassy has offered a $10-million reward for the capture or killing of Dulmatin who together with another Indonesian terrorist Umar Patek sought refuge in the territory of the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu. Dulmatin, who uses only one name, and Patek are both members of the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). Patek has a $1-million bounty for his capture.

The military said that aside from Dulmatin, also wounded in the recent encounter was Abu Sayyaf commander Al Bader Farad.

Mijares said he is convinced that Dulmatin, who was being protected by Solaiman’s group, was wounded during the assault on the rebel camp that started at about 9 a.m. and lasted until 12 noon.

The special forces unit of Mijares were in Manila yesterday to receive military honors after the successful operation against Solaiman’s group.

Special forces commander, Brig. Gen. Arturo Ortiz said that the report that Dulmatin and Al Bader were wounded was still being verified.

"There is still no confirmation yet. We are still verifying," Ortiz said.

Dulmatin and Patek are still holed up in Sulu together with the remnants of the Abu Sayyaf band of Solaiman.

"Based on (radio) signals intercepted and human intelligence, Dulmatin and his comrades were wounded," said the Mijares who led the assault in Talipao wherein Solaiman was killed.

The confirmation of the deaths of Solaiman and Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khaddafy Janjalani has dealt a major blow to the Muslim extremists who were responsible for a series of bombings and kidnap-slayings of foreigners.

The Abu Sayyaf and JI, which are believed to have been working together to plot attacks in recent months, are both on the US government’s list of foreign terrorist organizations.

Dulmatin and Patek slipped into Mindanao in 2005 and established links with the Abu Sayyaf to escape the crackdown launched by Indonesian security forces against the suspects in the Bali bombings, where 202 people died.

The military said more than two dozen other Indonesian militants working with JI are hiding in Mindanao.

Mijares said the military believes Dulmatin is now in the care of Albader Parad, a young Abu Sayyaf militant who could be in line to replace Janjalani, according to military sources.

Three other veteran fighters are leading the Abu Sayyaf remnants in Sulu where more than 8,000 troops had launched Oplan Ultimatum on Aug. 1, 2006, to track down the Abu Sayyaf and the Indonesian terrorists.

The military said that another candidate to replace the slain Janjalani is Radulan Sahiron, a one-armed militant in his 70s who once led the Abu Sayyaf’s so-called council of elders. Sahiron is reportedly suffering from arthritis.

In a press conference yesterday, Mijares recounted that prior to the assault, he and his 60-man unit got so close to the terrorists’ lair that one of his men Cpl. Raul Suacillo, was able to catch Solaiman literally with his pants down.

Mijares said Solaiman was urinating near Suacillo’s position.

Suacillo tried to hold Solaiman at bay with his M14 assault rifle pointed at him. However, Solaiman shouted Allahu Akbar (God is Great), forcing Suacillo to shoot the terrorist leader.

"I tried to convince him to surrender while pointing my rifle at him. Instead, he shouted Allahu Akbar leaving me no choice but to shoot him," Suacillo said.

The terrorists have been using as their code, Allahu Akbar, to warn other rebels on the presence of soldiers.

Brig. Gen. Ruben Rafael, Task Force Commander, meanwhile attributed Solaiman’s killing to the military’s old but effective strategy of three PPPs for patience, perseverance and persistence, which is now being employed against the terrorists in Sulu.

"Our three PPPs are now paying off," Rafael said of the soldiers’ determination despite the hardships and the dangers they are facing, to finish off the terror menace in Sulu and nearby island provinces. - Roel Pareño, AP, AFP