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Police suspect body was of foreign follower of Santoso terror group
All is ready: The National Policeâs Densus 88 counterterrorism squad stands guard in a security operation to pursue members of a terrorist group led by the fugitive Santoso in Poso, Central Sulawesi, earlier this year
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All is ready: The National Policeâs Densus 88 counterterrorism squad stands guard in a security operation to pursue members of a terrorist group led by the fugitive Santoso in Poso, Central Sulawesi, earlier this year. (Tempo) (Tempo)
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span class="caption">All is ready: The National Police's Densus 88 counterterrorism squad stands guard in a security operation to pursue members of a terrorist group led by the fugitive Santoso in Poso, Central Sulawesi, earlier this year. (Tempo)
The Central Sulawesi Police say they believe that the decomposing body found in one of 10 huts in Kilo village, Poso Pesisir, Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, was a member of the Poso-based Eastern Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) terrorist group led by fugitive Santoso.
Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Idham Azis said that from the physical attributes they observed, the police could confirm that the body was likely that of Faruk, a.k.a. Magalasi, a suspected terrorist who was injured when the Santoso-led terrorist group and the Indonesian Military engaged in a fire-fight with each other about seven kilometers from Kilo village on Nov. 29.
'Based on the results of a physical examination and the identifying marks we found, we suspect that he is Faruk, a.k.a. Magalasi, a foreigner,' Idham told journalists after he led a call of readiness ceremony at the Central Sulawesi Police headquarters on Wednesday morning for Operation Candle Maleo 2015, which is designed to safeguard Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations.
Due to geographical challenges, he said, the police had not yet been able to remove the body of the suspected terrorist from the location. For identification purposes, the police had dispatched a forensics team to the site on a helicopter to take DNA samples.
Police personnel have reportedly continued to pursue members of the terrorist group. The police have confirmed that the Santoso group members are still hiding and encircled in the mountainous Poso area.
Earlier, the police were reported to have found 10 huts suspected to be the MIT headquarters. The huts were found between seven and 13 kilometers from Kilo. In the huts, police found five home-made weapons, bomb materials, male and female clothing and cooking utensils. In one of the huts, the police also found a dead and decomposing body. (ebf)(+)
