An alleged high-ranking leader and bomb expert of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group (DI-HG) was killed in a military operation in Barangay Satan, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur on Sunday, December 7, 2025.

601st Infantry Brigade commander, Brigadier General Edgar Catu, identified the slain terrorist as Ustads Mohammad Usman Solaiman, the Amir of DI-HG and the brother of the late terrorist Ustadz Kamaro Usman, a member of DI-HG who was killed in March 2020.

The military said Solaiman was also known as a skilled bomb maker and the nephew of another known terrorist, Basit Usman, who allegedly made explosives for the Special Operations Group of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) with links to Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiya groups.

The 6th Infantry Division (6ID) also revealed that Solaiman and his companion Norodin Hassan, the Amir for Military Affairs of DI-HG), were among the remaining subordinates of the group led formerly by Abu Azim, who was killed in Mamasapano in December 2021.

Authorities said Solaiman’s group was allegedly responsible for several terror attacks in Mindanao, including the bombing of buses in Parang, Maguindanao on April 24, 2022; the twin bus bombings in Koronadal City and Tacurong City on May 26, 2022; and another bus attack in Barangay New Isabela, Tacurong City on November 6, 2022.

The group was also linked to the bus bombings at the Isulan Integrated Terminal on April 17, 2023, the ambush of soldiers in Barnagay Tuayan, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, and the killing of three goat traders from Batangas.

Government forces are pursuing other members of the terrorist group.

Catu underscored the role of residents who provided information about the presence of armed men in their communities.

“Ang kooperasyon ng taumbayan ang naging daan upang matukoy ang galaw at lokasyon ng grupo. Dahil dito ay matagumpay na naisagawa ang operasyon laban sa pinuno ng Dawlah Islamiya,” Catu said.

6ID and Joint Task Force Central commander, Major General Jose Vladimir Cagara, lauded the operating unit for the successful operation.

“Ipinapakita ng tagumpay na ito na kapag nagkakaisa ang komunidad at ang ating kasundaluhan kasama ang ilan pang government security forces, walang teroristang makakapagtago sa batas. Malaki ang aming pasasalamat sa ating mga kababayan sa patuloy na pagbibigay ng tamang impormasyon sa inyong JTF Central,” Cagara said.

“Hinihikayat ko rin ang mga natitira pang kasapi ng Dawlah Islamiya na isuko na ang kanilang armas. Ang pamahalaan ay handang tulungan kayong makapagsimula ng panibagong buhay kasama ang inyong pamilya. Laging bukas ang pintuan ng kapayapaan para sa mga handang magbago,” Cagara added.