Noordin's first wife to claim body

The first wife of slain militant Noordin Mohamad Top, who was Asia's most wanted terrorist, and her elder brother are to leave for Jakarta soon to claim Noordin's body for burial in Malaysia.

A security source said the wife, a Quran teacher in Ulu Tiram identified as Rahmah, and her brother Yahya were expected to bring back Noordin's body on Sept 29 for burial in Pontian.

The source said Indonesian government agencies were on Aidilfitri holiday now and it would take time for Noordin's body to be sent back to Malaysia.

Noordin, 41, who had led a more radical splinter group of the Jemaah Islamiyah, was shot dead in an operation carried out by an Indonesian elite anti-terrorist squad in Solo, central Java, on Sept 17, ending a nine-year hunt for the elusive militant who had hailed from Malaysia.

Three other terrorists were also killed in the operation.

Noordin is claimed to have masterminded several terrorists attacks in Indonesia.

- Bernama