ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines, March 19 (UPI) -- A Malaysian counter-terrorism official said that Malaysian terror suspect Zulkifli bin Abdul Hir didn't die as believed in an airstrike several weeks ago.
Malaysian police force's counter-terrorism unit deputy head Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said Zulkifli bin Abdul Hir, known popularly as Marwan, wasn't among the victims of an attack in Sulu, Zamboanga Today reported.
Marwan is allegedly is a senior member of the Kumpulan Militant Malaysia, which fought to overthrow the Malaysian government and form an Islamic state. There is a $5 million bounty on him
Marwan allegedly was badly wounded in the attack and is reportedly hiding on the southern Philippine island of Jolo.
Malaysian authorities said Marwan is the mastermind of a bombing in 2000 of a Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur and the fatal shooting later that year of a ruling party politician.
They said Marwan remains a high security threat because of his knowledge of explosives.
