Malaysian militant Dr Mahmud believed to be killed in Philippines

MANILA: Malaysian lecturer-turned-militant Dr Mahmud Ahmad (pic) is believed to have been killed in Marawi City in southern Philippines.

An intelligence source said that the former Universiti Malaya lecturer is dead.

However Philippines security sources could not confirm whether Dr Mahmud was killed as they could not locate his body.

On Tuesday, two rescued hostages rescued told Philippines security forces that Dr Mahmud was dead.

At that time, Dr Mahmud was believed to be holed up with family members of the Maute clan and Abu Sayyaf gunmen in the main battle area in Marawi City together with the hostages.

The Battle of Marawi is an armed conflict in Marawi, Lanao del Sur, that started on 23 May 2017 between Philippine government security forces and militants including the Maute and Abu Sayyaf Salafi jihadist groups.

According to the Philippine government, the clashes began during an offensive to capture Isnilon Hapilon, the leader Abu Sayyaf group, after they received reports that Hapilon was in the city.

On Thursday, Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla said a top Malaysian militant is believed to be among 13 Islamic State group-linked fighters killed overnight in clashes in the southern city of Marawi.

Padilla said officials were awaiting the recovery of the body to get full confirmation.