Abu Sayyaf's top assassin killed in raid

Mindanao: Policemen shot dead a suspected extremist and arrested two others in a gunfight, following a raid on a suspected hideout of the Abu Sayyaf Group on the southern Philippines Zamboanga port city late on Thursday, officials told Gulf News in a belated report on Friday.

Killed in the shootout was Joselito Nassara, identified as a top assassin of the Abu Sayyaf Group, intelligence officials said.

The shootout occurred in Village Ayala in Zamboanga City.

Security forces arrested Jayrold Nassara and Salahuddin Asikain, also Abu Sayyaf members whose mission was to kill policemen and military men in Zamboanga City, the officials said.

Seized from them were weapons, ammunition, uniforms of the Philippine National Police special action force which they used as a cover in attacking their targets, officials added.

Two members of the Abu Sayyaf group, Itting Sailani and Anni Sailani, managed to escape, officials said.