Daesh-linked Philippine militant behind suicide attacks killed

Sulu province in Southern Philippines has been rocked by three deadly suicide bombings this year, including the Catholic cathedral attack in January that killed 21 people. (AFP file)

• Talha Jumsah, who used the nom de guerre Abu Talha, was killed Friday in a clash with government forces
• Sulu province has been rocked by three deadly suicide bombings this year

MANILA, Philippines: Philippine military officials say troops have killed a “high-value” Filipino militant who acted as a key link of the Daesh group to local militants and helped set up a series of deadly suicide attacks in the south that have alarmed the region.
The officials say Talha Jumsah, who used the nom de guerre Abu Talha, was killed Friday in a clash with government forces in the jungles of Patikul town in Sulu province, which has been rocked by three deadly suicide bombings this year. The suicide attacks started with a Jan. 27 bombing of a Roman Catholic cathedral that left 23 people dead.
Military officials said Saturday that Talha served as a bomb-making instructor and Arabic translator, and facilitated the transfer of foreign funds for the suicide attacks.