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Photo, rumors circulate on death of terrorist Santoso
In the frame: A photographâ of a dead suspected terrorist who appears to be fugitive terrorist leader Santoso is currently circulating on social media platforms
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In the frame: A photographâ of a dead suspected terrorist who appears to be fugitive terrorist leader Santoso is currently circulating on social media platforms. (via Strait Times) (via Strait Times)
In the frame: A photograph' of a dead suspected terrorist who appears to be fugitive terrorist leader Santoso is currently circulating on social media platforms. (via Strait Times)
Speculation continues to mount that most-wanted terrorist suspect Santoso was killed in a shootout with police and military personnel on Tineba Mountain, Poso, Central Sulawesi on Friday morning, as a photograph of a dead man similar to the suspect began to circulate.
Central Sulawesi Governor Longki Djanggola, quoting what he described as a reliable source, said it was believed that the body was indeed that of Santoso. He praised the Tinombala operation, which was aimed at eradicating Santoso's militant group the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT).
"Please proceed with the operation, and exterminate the vicious groups which have spread terror in Poso and surrounding areas," he said.
A former Poso combatant Pian Djumpai told The Jakarta Post that the dead terrorist in the picture was almost identical to Santoso.
Poso Police chief Adj. Comr. Sony Susanto said the joint force were in pursuit of the Santoso group and at around 09.30 a.m (local time), gunfire and homemade grenades were aimed at them from a hut owned by a local resident.
"The group defended its position in the hut and a gun battle erupted," he said, without commenting on the alleged photograph of the dead terrorist.
Deputy Central Sulawesi Police chief Comr. Leo Bona Lubis confirmed the gun battle and the death of several suspected terrorists. However, he would not state categorically that Santoso was among the dead.
Central Sulawesi Police's Adj. Comr. Hari Suprapto explained that the dead body was currently being held at Bhayangkara Hospital, Palu, for rapid identification through preliminary tests, including DNA samples to be matched with those of Santoso family members. (ags)
