ZARQAWI CLAIMED DEAD

There are unconfirmed reports that the most wanted man in Iraq is dead:

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is about to announce that militant leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has been killed, Iraqi state television reports.

Details as they become available.

Update: Via a Fox News email alert: AL QAEDA IN IRAQ TERROR CHIEF ABU MUSAB AL-ZARQAWI KILLED IN BOMBING ATTACK

Update II: Via a CBS affiliate:

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the al-Qaida-linked militant who led a bloody campaign of suicide bombings, kidnappings and hostage beheadings in Iraq, has been killed in a U.S. air raid north of Baghdad, Iraq's prime minister said Thursday.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said al-Zarqawi was killed Wednesday evening along with seven aides.

A big score, if true.

Update III: Zarqawi's death is confirmed:

General George Casey, the top U.S. general in Iraq, says al-Zarqawi's body has been identified by fingerprints and facial recognition.