KUALA LUMPUR: Former Pas Kedah member and Malaysian jihadist fighting for the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, Ustaz Mohd Lotfi Ariffin, died yesterday after succumbing to his injuries.
Abdul Salman Abdul Rahim, who served as the Malaysian group’s media coordinator said that Lotfi remains will be buried at the Kafr Zatay cemetery besides other fallen Malaysian jihadist, Abu Turrob and Abu Muhajir.
Salman said in his Facebook posting that they were still waiting for his body to be released from the Antarkia Hospital, Turkey.
Salman added that situation was still tense in Kafr Zatay and they were not able to bury Lotfi.
He added fighters were working to clear up the road to allow smooth journey around the cemetery.
Lotfi had suffered serious injuries after an ambush on a group of Malaysian militants battling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
His death announcement was made by another fellow Malaysian jihadist known Abu Talhah II, who revered Lotfi’s death and praised his contribution in Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Maluku Islands.
Pas had offered condolences to the family over the death of Lotfi, saying that they respected his decision of jihad in Syria.
Pas information chief Datuk Mahfuz Omar said that they couldn’t deny him (Lotfi) the path that he chose and prayed he achieved reward for his for his martyrdom.
Lotfi was expelled from Pas in May after receiving information that he had joined the militants to fight in Syria.