F

ourteen years after the signing of the Malino Declaration, which marked the end of the deadly sectarian conflict in Poso, the Central Sulawesi regency remains on high alert with the emergence of a local terrorist group believed to be affiliated to the radical Islamic State (IS) movement.

Since earlier this year, law enforcers have been cooperating in the manhunt for the leaders of the East Indonesian Mujahidin (MIT), which has become the most-feared group in the region after orchestrating the murder of a number of local residents.

The police have conducted a series of missions, known as Operation Camar Maleo, in Poso, led by its counterterrorism unit, Densus 88, and the Mobile Brigade (Brimob), with support from the Indonesian Military (TNI).

Among the most sought-after leaders of the group are Santoso, alias Abu Wardah, and previously Daeng Koro, alias Sabar Subagyo.

In the middle of this year, Densus 88 arrested six suspected terrorists in the province, while several more, including Daeng Koro, were shot dead in a series of clashes between security forces and MIT.

Two police officers and a soldier were killed during the operations.

Speaking to reporters recently, Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Idham Azis said that based on intelligence information, the Santoso-led MIT group had appeared to grow stronger after the surviving members of the Koro gang, who had gone into hiding after Koro was killed, joined the group.

'€œSantoso'€™s group stands at around 30 members and is well armed,'€ Idham said.

The group, for example, possesses US-made sniper rifles capable of firing armor-piercing rounds, according to Idham. Police seized one such weapon following a firefight between police and MIT members led by Santoso in Gunung Langka, North Poso Pesisir district.

Idham said the firearms had been smuggled into Poso by sea from the Philippines. He also believed that the group had gained support from outside parties connected with other radical groups in the Philippines and Syria.

'€œSo, we believe the Santoso [group] possesses a wide range of weaponry,'€ he said.

A resident in Tamadue village, East Lore district, Victor Palaba, claimed he had seen a foreigner together with Santoso'€™s group in the woods. Victor had escaped from Santoso'€™s gang after being abducted in December last year.

Police confirmed the claim. However, they are unable to verify the number of foreigners who are with the terrorist group.

'€œSo, we strongly believe Santoso has received reinforcement from foreign citizens, most likely from IS,'€ Central Sulawesi Police acting spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Hari Suprapto said.

The claim was also strengthened by the discovery of a body in a training camp in Kilo village, Poso Pesisir, Poso district.

Idham said based on physical characteristics, the body was almost certainly that of Faruk, alias Magalasi, a foreign national, who was injured during a firefight with TNI personnel in Kilo village on Nov. 29.

In addition, the Santoso gang has also often resorted to motorcycle thefts to support their activities in Poso. Based on available data, police have so far impounded 93 stolen motorcycles.

'€œThe gang members steal and later sell the motorcycles to finance their terrorism,'€ Hari said.

Poso, located some 200 kilometers southeast of the provincial capital of Palu, used to be a popular resort city known for its natural beauty.

Between 1998 and 2001, however, the region was rocked by a series of sectarian conflicts involving Muslim and Christian groups, leaving some 1,000 people dead.

Of the regency'€™s 228,000 residents, 68 percent are Christian and 26 percent Muslim.

Peace gradually returned with the Malino agreement, signed by both Christians and Muslims, but acts of terrorism have continued.