Sought-After al Qaeda Figure Reportedly Killed in Africa breaking news. U.S. Intelligence and investigating reports unconfirmed so far that a key al qaeda figure could be dead tonight. He grew up in algeria. He went on to pakistan to raise jihad. He's the al qaeda leader who took credit for that terrifying hostage ordeal in algeria earlier this year. 60 people were killed. Some of the hostages holding their hands in the air. When it was over, belmokhtar had slipped away. Tonight, u.S. Officials want to know whether or not his rein of terror is over. This is fast-moving and we lead off tonight with chief investigative reporter brian ross. Reporter: He was known as the marlboro man because of the millions of dollars he made smuggling cigarettes. But in the lasnths, he became one of the most sought-after terrorists in the world. Authorities say that he was the mastermind of the attack this january on an algerian natural gas plant that left dozens of westerners and three americans dead. He announced that he would use his wealth to finance more attacks against americans and western interests in the region and beyond. The u.S. Wanted belmokhtar stopped. He has been reported killed at least two times before in previous years, only to show up alive. But if today's reports of his death from the chad military are confirmed, it would be a significant victory against al qaeda, in a part of the world where the terror group has been growing in power and menace. Brian ross, abc news.