Brother of Abu Sayyaf bombmaker Mundi Sawadjaan killed in Sulu clash

The eldest brother of Abu Sayyaf bombmaker Mundi Sawadjaan and another member of the terrorist group were killed in a clash with soldiers in Patikul, Sulu, on Friday, April 23.

In a statement, Joint Task Force Sulu identified the Abu Sayyaf members as Mujafal “Jhapz” Sawadjaan and Muktihar Taha alias Mukti.

JTF-Sulu said that Mujafal is the eldest brother of Mundi Sawadjaan, whom the military had tagged as responsible for the twin suicide bombings in Jolo, Sulu that killed at least 15 and injured at least 75 on August 24, 2020.

JTF said the remains of the two Abu Sayyaf members were recovered at around 3:20 pm on Friday.

The military said that the clashes started at around 9:30 am, and that troops had a series of encounters with the Abu Sayyaf group led by Mundi.

“We have received initial reports indicating that Mundi’s youngest brother Al-al Sawadjaan was also neutralized during today’s encounters. All our forces are on high alert as we continue to hunt for Mundi Sawadjaan,” said JTF-Sulu chief Major General William Gonzales, commander of the 11th Infantry Division.

The incident happened a week after an Egyptian terrorist and two Abu Sayyaf members under Mundi were killed during an encounter with government troops.

In 2019, troops killed Mundi’s younger brother, Nanz Sawadjaan, also in an encounter in Patikul.

The Sawadjaan brothers are nephews of Abu Sayyaf subleader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who the military said was likely killed after he was wounded in a clash with government troops in July 2020. – Rappler.com