(Eagle News) – The Philippine military said that the ISIS liaison to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) had been killed in a gunfight with army troops in Patiukul, Sulu.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines identified the killed ISIS liaison as Talha Jumsah aka Abu Talha.
He was killed in a clash with the Philippine Army 1st Scout Ranger Battalion in So, Tubig Amu, Barangay Tanum, Patikul, Sulu.
Brigadier General Antonio Nafarrete, 1101st Brigade commander, said the death of the ASG’s ISIS liaison would surely demoralize the ranks of the local terrorists in Sulu.
“The death of Abu Talha will surely cause demoralization in the ASG ranks in Sulu. It could not have been made possible without the support of the Tausug community who reported the presence of the armed terrorists and volunteered to serve as guides during the conduct of combat operations,” Nafarrete said.
Talha, considered a high-value target of the AFP, had served as an instructor of the Abu Sayyaf in the making of very dangerous and lethal improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
He is also said to be a conduit for funding and liaison between foreign and local terrorists.
Talha’s body was recovered Saturday morning after an encounter at 8:30 a.m. between local terrorists with soldiers of the 1102st infantry brigade.
