The National Police's counterterrorism squad Densus 88 have arrested a man suspected of being a member of the Poso-based terrorist group East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT), led by Indonesia's most-wanted fugitive Santoso aka Abu Wardah.

Densus 88 officers arrested Edi Santoso, 40, in Bandar Lampung, on Tuesday after monitoring him for the past two months, National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Agus Rianto said.

"Edi was involved in fa'i [the practice of an Islamic teaching that allows Muslims to steal from infidels for the purpose of jihad] with Abu Roban a while ago," National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Agus Rianto said as quoted by tribunnews on Wednesday.

Edi's name had been on the Police's most-wanted list for his alleged involvement with a terrorist group in Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, and military training camp in Poso, Central Sulawesi, Agus said.

Abu Roban was shot dead by Densus 88 officers in a raid in Batang, Central Java, in May 2013.

Moreover, Agus said Edi had kept moving from place to place to avoid being tracked down as police believed that he had joined the MIT.

Bandar Lampung Police chief Adj. Snr. Comr. Hari Nugroho said he had not received any details about the raid from Densus 88 .

"I only know that a number of Densus 88 officers are investigating some leads. They are not interrogating anyone as there is no one in the house right now," Hari said as quoted by kompas.com on Tuesday night.

Police officers were still guarding the house on Wednesday afternoon.

The government is intensifying raids on suspected terrorists following the attack that struck Central Jakarta last month that killed four civilians and injured more than 20 people. (afr/rin)

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