A soldier was shot during crossfire with the Santoso-led terrorist group in the jungle area surrounding Poso in Central Sulawesi. The soldier's finger has been injured, police said on Thursday.

'€œYes one of our members was shot by terrorists and under treatment at a local hospital,'€ Senior Adjunct Commissioner Hari Suprapto told reporters on Thursday.

Crossfire is reported to have occurred somewhat frequently between joint security forces and the terrorists group since the operation to hunt down Santoso was launched earlier this year.

The joint operation between the national police, its elite Detachment 88 counter-terrorism unit and the Indonesian military has increased in intensity over past two months, as the task force are believed to be closing in on members of the local extremist group East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT).

The crossfire which led to the soldier's hand injury occurred when five members of the joint operation team had proceeded to approach terrorist group.

'€œDue to an imbalance in numbers, we found ourselves under siege,'€ Hari said, adding that a woman from the terrorist side had shouted '€œAllahu Akbar'€.        

After the crossfire, the task force found new evidence, such as a sack of rice, two hand-made bombs, 32 bullets, two vests, military-like clothing and a Zipo lighter.   

Police have admitted that efforts have been hampered due to the large and difficult terrain of the jungle area which behaved as a sanctuary for the terrorists and because local sympathizers had continued to protect the group. (dan)(+)

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