Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf says terrorist activity in the province has been under surveillance since last year, and that terrorists intend to use Aceh to build a new base for their Southeast Asia network.
The governor said eight members of the armed terror group in Aceh Besar regency were initially recruited for a mission in the Gaza Strip.
“Intelligence has detected their attempt to set up a base for a Southeast Asian terror network, but the plan was implemented only recently,” Irwandi told a media conference in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He added the men were sent to Java to undergo training before leaving for Gaza, but they never left, and were instead recruited by a group for another mission.
“The eight Acehnese who underwent additional training in Java are the pioneers of the terror movement in Aceh. They underwent basic training including weapons training,” Irwandi said as quoted by Antara.
Police this week raided a terrorist training ground killing three terrorist suspects and arresting 21 others. Three police officers and two civilians were killed in several firefights.
Irwandi denied any link between the terror group and former rebel group Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
“GAM, in fact, works with the military and police to hunt terrorists,” said Irwandi, who is a former GAM leader.
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