Melbourne: An Indian-origin Fijian who is Australia's most wanted Islamic State terror recruiter has reportedly been killed in Syria, according to media reports on Sunday.
The report of Neil Prakash's death, a Melbourne-born radical, was posted on secure communications app Telegram, quoting an IS member.
The IS claim Prakash, also known as Abu Khaled al-Cambodi, has been "shahada" - the terror group's description when a fighter is killed. No details have yet emerged of how or where he reportedly died, Herald Sun reported.
The terrorist, who allegedly had contact with some of those accused of plotting an Anzac Day terror attack in Victoria, flew to Syria in 2013, the report said.
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that commemorates those who served and died in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.
Until recently Prakash had used social media to groom potential terror recruits, but was forced to change his communication methods because of concerns he would be tracked by countries fighting IS.
Federal Government and police sources were on Saturday night unable to confirm Prakash's death, which would hurt the terror group's international recruitment efforts, the report said.
However, one Government source has admitted that Prakash had "gone quiet" recently on his usual communication platforms. Reports of Prakash's death have been communicated within IS groups.
If Prakash's death is eventually confirmed by anti-terror agencies, it would be likely to lead to an increase in security measures, with the Australian believed to have local supporters and sympathisers, the report said. Australian police last year issued a warrant for his arrest.
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