China's most-wanted terrorist suspect has been killed in a joint US and Pakistani military operation, according to Chinese state media.


The death of Hasan Mahsum, a leader of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) from China's mainly Muslim north-western region of Xinjiang, could not immediately be confirmed and the state media reports were removed from newspaper websites yesterday.

However, if true, Mr Mahsum's demise would offer a big boost to Beijing's efforts to link its crackdown on pro-independence activity in Xinjiang to the wider US-led "war on terror".

Earlier this month, China had put Mr Mahsum's name at the head of its list of 11 alleged terrorists as part of an appeal for greater international co-operation in combating Xinjiang separatist organisations.

In 2002, the US officially described the ETIM as a terrorist group after strong lobbying from Beijing, although some analysts said the designation appeared to be backed by little hard evidence.

The Chinese government has described the ETIM as a "major component of the terrorist network headed by Osama bin Laden" and as having close ties to the Taliban.

In an interview with a US radio station in 2002, however, Mr Mahsum reportedly denied having any organisational links with al-Qaeda or of receiving funding from Mr bin Laden.

Beijing has long blamed sporadic violence in Xinjiang on separatists hoping to end Chinese rule over the region. Human rights groups have long complained that Chinese "anti-terrorist" campaigns are used as a cover for brutal repression of any promotion of Xinjiang independence.

In a report picked up by both other state newspapers, the International Herald Leader, a publication of China's official Xinhua news agency, said he had been killed "recently" in a joint operation by US and Pakistani forces. It gave no details of the location or timing of the operation.

TANGO DOWN!

I don't care about race, creed, color, sex, sexual preference, or veteran status. If it's a terrorist, then good riddance!

More info in [url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3343241.stm]this[/url] BBC News article.

One more down.

Keep up the good work.

Even if he's an indigenous freedom fighter trying to free his people from the yoke of Han Communist China.  A yoke that descended on a proud people less than 50 years ago??

The Han Chinese have a determination to return Chinese dominance over any place in the world that once recognized the Emperor of China.  Including any area once subservient to the Mongol Hordes.  A far fetched view but they have their dreams of returning China to the top of the world again.  That's part of what the PLA is designed to do.  Move back into Cental Asia, southern central Asia, Southeast Asia, Mongolia, Korea and Siberia.  It's happened to Sinkiang, Tibet already.  Neither of whom were part of China at the beginning of the 20th century.  Nepal, Afghanistan (historic pathway for the Moguls/Monguls into India), several of the central Asian Republics.  He may have been our buddy once as a thorn in the side of the PRC.

It is a gawdawful mess in the old silk road caravan areas and the PRC wants it and the Moslems out.  Gonna get real messy before it gets better.  The PRC is being even more brutal there than in Tibet.  Cause nobody knows it's happening.

The elimination of another Muslim terrorist. I feel a tear forming.