Islamist websites report Russia's "bin-Laden" still alive

Apr 4, 2011, 11:48 GMT

Moscow - Russia's top terrorism suspect, Doku Umarov, is still alive, the Islamist website kavkaz.tv said Monday, days after he was reported to have been killed by special forces.

Umarov was unharmed and in good health, the Islamist sources in the conflict-torn North Caucasus region said. There have been previous reports of the death of the self-proclaimed 'emir of the Caucasus' that turned out to be false.

After heavy airstrikes on terrorist targets a week ago, Russian special forces said 'Russia's bin Laden, was among 17 Islamist rebels killed in the operation. The Interfax news agency on Monday quoted a spokesman as saying genetic tests would be conducted on the bodies.

Russian officials are under pressure to capture Umarov, who a year ago claimed responsibility for the Moscow subway bombings that killed 40 people.

In Muslim-dominated Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan, numerous Islamist militant groups have been fighting for an independent 'emirate' in the North Caucasus.

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