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One of the top leaders of the al Qaeda-linked militant group Abu Sayyaf was killed, along with five others, in a pre-dawn military raid to the rebels' lair in the restless southern Philippines, a military commander said Sunday.

Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, a regional military commander, told reporters that acting on intelligence reports Marines raided a rebel camp in remote Maimbung town of Sulu province at around 7 a. m. Sunday (2300 GMT Saturday).

About 50 Abu Sayyaf rebels, led by Umbra Jumdail alias Dr. Abu and Albader Parad, fought back and heavy fire-fight lasted about one hour, Dolorfino said.