MANILA - A sub-leader of the extremist group Abu Sayyaf tagged in bomb attacks and a string of kidnappings involving foreigners was killed in a military operation, authorities said Saturday.

Alhabsy Misaya was killed in the remote town of Indanan, Sulu late Friday, military spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said, without giving additional details.

Three military sources also confirmed the bandit's death to ABS-CBN News. There were no reported casualties among government forces.

Misaya was allegedly involved in the 2002 attack in the southern town of Malagutay that left a US serviceman killed and 23 others wounded, the military said.

The US Department of Defense put up a $15,000 reward for Misaya.

Misaya was also allegedly involved in the kidnapping of Japanese-American treasure hunter Katayam Mamaito in Pangutaran, Sulu in 2010.

He was most recently tagged in the the abduction of Vietnamese sailors off Basilan last November. -- with reports from Chiara Zambrano ABS-CBN News