THE most wanted leader of the terror group Daulah Islamiyah and his wife on Friday were killed in a joint police and military operations in Talayan, Maguindanao.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. said killed in the clash were Salahuddin Hassan alias “Orak” and wife Jehana Minbida.

Hassan was believed to be the “overall Amir” of the Daulah Islamiyah and considered the most wanted terrorist in the group.

Faustino said Minbida was the alleged finance officer of the group.

Lt. Col. John Paul Baldomar, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, said troopers of the 1st Mechanized Brigade, PA headed by Col. Pedro Balisi and the local police encountered the group of Hassan at Sito Pinareng, Bgy. Damablac, Talayan, Maguindanao.

Prior to the gunfight, authorities received a report about the presence of armed men in the village.

Military and police forces immediately responded to the area that led to the firefight.

Hassan and Minbida, who were seriously injured in the exchange of fire, were left behind by their group.

“Our operating troops were able to recover the cadaver of Hassan and Minbida, together with several firearms and war materiel, includinga 5.56mm R4 Rifle, bandoliers, ammunition, various war paraphernalia and subersive documents,” the statement of the Joint Task Force Central read in part.

According to Faustino, Hassan was behind the bombings and terror attacks in Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

The military also said the Daulah Islamiyah leader replaced Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, the leader of the group who was killed last year.

Hassan was also believed to be a former leader and founder of the Al-Khobar Group, which authorities said was involved in terroristic attacks in Mindanao between 2007 and 2015.

Faustino hailed the Army’s 6th Infantry Division for the successful operation as he described Hassan’s death as a “significant blow” against terrorism and another victory for the government.

Authorities in the region are on full alert for possible retaliatory attacks by the terror group following the death of their leader.