There are conflicting reports worldwide, but it seems Abu Sayyaf leader Khaddafy Janjalani may be dead. Here’s the Manila Bulletin’s take:

Sketchy reports reaching the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Headquarters in Quezon City said that Janjalani, who carried a US$5 million reward from the United States government and another R5 million from the Philippine government, was among the suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits who were killed during an air attack on their hideout in a remote barangay in Datu Piang…

(Background on al Qaeda/Abu Sayyaf linkage here.)

Janjalani’s body hasn’t been recovered.

The US Treasury Department froze Janjalani’s assets last week.

Hmmm. Too early to celebrate yet.