Is this the Libyan pilot who killed Colonel Gaddafi's son in 'kamikaze attack'?

Libyan rebel forces are praising the courage of an air force pilot said to have undertaken a 'kamikaze' mission on the Gaddafi compound which claimed the life of the dictator's son.



Muhammad Mukhtar Osman's name and picture was posted on websites following the attack on the family's Bab al-Aziziya compound in Tripoli at the weekend.



Colonel Gaddafi's son Khamis, 27, who runs the feared Khamis Brigade that has been prominent in its role of attacking rebel-held areas, is alleged to have died following the suicide air mission on his barracks.

Martyr? This is the photo of Muhammad Mukhtar Osman who allegedly flew his fighter jet into the Gaddafi compound

Widespread reports said the 27-year-old died of burns in hospital following the attack, but were derided as a 'nonsensical piece of news' by the regime.



The mission may have been a possible attempt on the Libyan dictator's life, but the hated Muammar was apparently not there, and despite varying reports of when the attack is said to have taken place, rebels have praised the pilot as a 'martyr'.

The Libyan Youth Movement and other Libyan opposition websites identified the pilot as Osman, according to AOL News.



'This act of courage will forever be remembered. Osman is a hero to the revolution. God rest his soul,' the Libyan Youth Movement said, without making mention of Khamis' death.



'May his memory be blessed and may his sacrifice be rewarded by a free democratic Libya,' another caption read, alongside the same shot of the grey-haired pilot climbing into his plane.



It was claimed Khamis died in the same compound hit by RAF cruise missiles hit by raids by coalition forces.