Daulah Islamiyah-Maute group leader killed in encounter in Marawi City –AFP

Abu Zacharia, the notorious leader of the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group, was killed in an armed encounter in Marawi City on Wednesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said.

AFP Public Affairs Chief Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto said, the armed conflict happened past 1 a.m. in Barangay Bangon, Marawi City, according to a report by Super Radyo dzBB's Mark Makalalad.

"Based on the report from the ground, Faharudin Hadji Benito Satar/Faharudin Pumbaya Pangalian/Fahar Pumbaya Pangalian, a.k.a. Abu Zacharia, Amir of the Daulah Islamiyah-Philippines and Overall Amir of the Islamic State-East Asia was successfully neutralized after resisting arrest during a joint law enforcement operation conducted at his safe house in Barangay Bangon, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur at about 1:30 in the morning, Wednesday," Western Mindanao Command chief Lieutenant General Roy Galido said.

The AFP said the 103rd Infantry Brigade and the PNP conducted a joint operation to serve a warrant of arrest against Abu Zacharia. The target, however, opened fire, forcing the troops to retaliate.

Abu Zacharia then allegedly threw a 60-mm mortar and two hand grenades toward the troops’ position.

A firefight occurred, which lasted for about ten minutes. As troops cleared the area, they recovered the body of Abu Zacharia and two M16A1 rifles with ammunition.

One AFP troop, meanwhile, was injured.

The AFP has yet to give other details about the encounter. 

Zacharia previously replaced Abu Dar as leader of the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group.

Dar, who was also also the leader of the group during the Marawi Siege, was killed in an encounter in March 14, 2019.

Zacharia has been the target of past operations by authorities in Lanao del Sur.

In an interview, Major Andrew Linao, officer-in-charge of the public information office of Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) said Zacaria is the leader of ISIS in the country as well as in East Asia. —Jamil Santos/ VAL, GMA Integrated News