The East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) terrorist group is getting weaker as security forces arrest or kill its members one at a time.
Operation Tinombala task force commander Brig. Gen. Rudy Sufahriadi said only 11 MIT members remained at large, four of whom were from Poso, Central Sulawesi. They are Ali Ahmad aka Ali Kalora, Tini Susanti Kaduku aka Umi Fadel (Ali’s wife), Suhartono aka Yono Sayur or Pak Ipan, and Muhammad Faisal aka Namnung or Kobar.
The seven other members, according to Rudy, are all from Bima, West Nusa Tenggara. They allegedly include Firdaus aka Daus or Barok or Rangga, Askar aka Jaid or Pak Guru, Kholid Qatar aka Farel, Abu Alim, Basir aka Romzi and Nae aka Galuh.
“Their names and pictures have been printed on banners in several locations across Poso,” said Rudy, who is also the Central Sulawesi Police chief.
He added the remaining 11 MIT members, all of whom were in one group led by Ali, were still in their hideouts in forests of Poso Pesisir.
On Monday morning, Tinombala personnel shot dead alleged MIT member Adji Pandu Suwotomo aka Sobron, only five days after they busted the group’s second in command, Basri aka Bagong.
Central Sulawesi Governor Longki Djanggola expressed his appreciation of Operation Tinombala’s performance and his hope that terrorism in Poso would swiftly come to an end. He said the arrest of Basri proved that the Indonesian Military and National Police had prioritized a humane approach in handling terrorism in Poso. (ebf)
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