T

he Indonesian Military (TNI) will hold a military exercise involving around 2,000 soldiers in Poso, Central Sulawesi, an action likely aimed at sending a message to a suspected terrorist group in the area.

However, Central Sulawesi Tadulako 132 Military Resort Command (Korem) chief spokesman Maj. Ihza Faly denied that the training, to start at the end of this month, was aimed at pursuing and capturing members of the terrorist group led by Santoso and Daeng Koro.

'€œCatching terrorists is the duty of the police. We'€™re just carrying out a military exercise,'€ said Ihza.

He added that an exact schedule had not yet been set for the exercise, but a coordinating meeting for the purpose had been carried out.

'€œThe joint military exercise will take place for a week. It will be inaugurated by TNI commander-in-chief General Moeldoko, and will involve several units,'€ said Ihza.

Ihza said Poso was chosen as the training location as it met the requirements and possessed mountainous terrain.

Poso regency is also equipped with an air and sea base, so it was very suitable for military exercises, he added.

Earlier, Wirabuana Military Command (Kodam) chief Maj. Gen. Bachtiar said the TNI was ready to help overcome terrorism in Poso regency.

Bachtiar quoted Moeldoko, who pointed out that the TNI was strengthening the region in the form of the development of Poso regency.

'€œBut if we'€™re asked [to help further], we'€™re ready. There'€™s no bargaining in the matter,'€ said Bachtiar.

He said the TNI was coordinating with the National Police and the provincial government on security affairs in Poso.

According to him, the TNI was carrying out a territorial operation to help improve people'€™s welfare.

'€œWe are also assisting in maintaining security to improve the situation,'€ said Bachtiar.

Last month, TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Fuad Basya said the military was waiting for President Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo'€™s instruction to start its operations.

Meanwhile, Poso residents are warmly welcoming the TNI exercise.

Former Alkhairaat Youth Society head in Poso, Ibrahim, said the exercise could serve as a warning to armed civilian groups that were still spreading terror in various areas in Poso.

Ibrahim said his group was ready to help TNI personnel in the field.

Violence has reportedly escalated in the area in recent months, with five civilians allegedly killed by the group, which is believed to be linked to the Islamic State (IS) organization.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno earlier said that the intelligence services had detected the presence of IS in Poso, including foreign members, especially in the district'€™s mountainous areas.

Members of the group reportedly emerge from their mountain hideouts to steal food in the villages.

Besides the TNI, the National Police are also conducting their own operation, known as Camar Maleo, and are focusing on capturing terrorist members and busting their network.

The operation, involving more than 1,000 personnel, will end on March 26, but could resume because the main targets, Santoso and Daeng Koro, have not yet been captured.

The police have so far been able to arrest six Poso residents who are strongly believed to be involved in supplying food to the group.

They have been identified as Aco Bambu, Andrianto, Mulyadi, Nasir, Ramdan alias Andang and Isran alias Donding.