PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Government is seeking verification from authorities in the Philippines on the death of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Abu Sayyaf leader Zulkifli Abdul Hir, who has a RM15mil FBI bounty on his head.

Famously known as Marwan, the bomb-making expert and one of the world's most wanted man, had reportedly been hiding in the Philippines since 2003. The 46-year-old was born in Muar and trained as an engineer in the United States.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the Royal Malaysian Police who had been informed of his death, were liaising with their Philippines' counterpart to hand over DNA samples of Zulkifli's family to help verify the body.

"Our special team is now in Manila and is working closely with the Philippines' authorities.

"The police will arrange for the return of the body to Malaysia for burial if it is confirmed to be that of Zulkifli Abdul Hir," he said in a statement Friday.

Zulkifli, who was high on the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists' list, was reportedly killed in an air strike in Jolo islands, Philippines on Thursday along with fellow militant Mohammad Ali @ Muawiyah and Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Pula.

It was reported that at least 15 members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah organisations were also killed in the US-backed raid.

Hishammuddin said police were also awaiting confirmation on the death of Bacho and Jeknal Adil, who were members of the Darul Islam (DI) Sabah miltant group.

The two had escaped from a police operation last November but were believed to have been with the Abu Sayyaf group when their hideout was attacked by Philippines' troops on Thursday, he said.

Marwan, who was believed to be the head of the Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia, was a protege of fellow Malaysian Dr Azahari Hussin, a JI bomb expert who was killed by the Indonesian anti-terrorism unit in 2005.

JI has been blamed for some of South-East Asia's deadliest terrorist attacks, including the 2002 Bali bombings, where more than 200 people were killed.

Related Stories:
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JI leader Marwan killed
Govt measures ensure terrorists can't find footing in Malaysia

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