Chad: Mastermind of Algerian hostage drama reported killed

(Chad) Chad's military says its soldiers in Mali have killed Mokhtar Belmokhtar, the mastermind of the seizure in January of an Algerian gas plant that left at least 37 foreign hostages dead.

Belmokhtar's death was announced on state television in Chad on Saturday, but has not been confirmed by others.

''Today, Saturday, at noon, Chadian armed forces on mission in Mali totally destroyed the principal base of the terrorists and narcotraffickers in the Ifoghas mountain range,'' Chad's armed forces spokesman, General Zakaria Ngobongue, said.

Several terrorists, ''including the chief, Mokhtar Belmokhtar'', were killed in the operation, he said.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/mastermind-of-algerian-hostage-drama-reported-killed-20130303-2fem8.html#ixzz2Mb1FKX2L

French Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Thierry Burkhard said the ministry could not confirm the claim. US military and counterterrorism officials said they were aware of the reports and were seeking confirmation.

Chadian soldiers are fighting Islamist militants in Mali as part of an international force led by France.

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