[1][2] Born in Kluang, Johor, Malaysia, he is thought to have been a key bomb-maker and/or financier, for Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) along with Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT), and to have left it, setting up the more violent splinter group Tanzim Qaedat al-Jihad.

[3] Noordin was reported by the FBI to be "an explosives expert", and "an officer, recruiter, bomb maker and trainer for the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) group.

[9] He was killed during a police raid (by Indonesia's anti-terrorist unit Densus 88) in Solo, Central Java, conducted on 17 September 2009.

[6] On 5 August 2003, a suicide bomber detonated a car bomb outside the lobby of the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, killing 12 people and injuring 150.

[11] In September 2004, a car bomb was exploded outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta, killing several people including the suicide bomber and wounding over 140 others.

[4] On 21 July 2005, Irun Hidayat was convicted of being an accessory by providing a house to Azahari Husin and Noordin Top.

[15] On 29 April 2006, he narrowly escaped capture after his safe-house was raided by heavily armed Indonesian police in Binangun, Central Java.

In June 2006 it was reported that Noordin was threatening more attacks in video tapes recovered by Indonesian authorities and police believe that he may have formed his own organization outside JI.

[21] On 19 September 2009, Indonesian National Police spokesperson announced that a DNA test was also carried out and it was proved that the body was in fact that of Noordin.

[23] Police were led to the house after arresting Indonesian militant Rohmat Puji Prabowo at a marketplace in Solo on 16 September.