Islamist Mokhtar Belmokhtar killed in US strike

London, June 15: An Islamist has been killed in a US air strike in Libya, media reported on Monday.

Mokhtar Belmokhtar, who ordered a deadly attack on an Algerian gas plant two years ago among others who were killed in the raid by aircraft in the eastern city of Ajdabiya, reported BBC citing a statement from Libya's government.

Attack on a gas plant in Algeria in 2013 left at least 35 hostages, including three Americans dead.

US has confirmed Belmokhtar was targeted but report of his death is yet to be confirmed. There have been incorrect reports of Belmokhtar's death in the past.

On the other hand, an Islamist with links to extremists in Libya has refuted the claim of Mokhtar's death.

"Mokhtar Belmokhtar wasn't at the site of the US airstrike," said a militant on condition of anonymity in Libya.

The militant said the strike killed four Ansar Shariah members in Ajdabiya, some 850 kilometers (530 miles) east of the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

OneIndia News