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Police arrest seven suspected terrorists in Central Sulawesi
The National Policeâs Densus 88 counterterrorism squad stands guard in a security operation to pursue members of a terrorist group led by the fugitive Santoso in Poso, Central Sulawesi, earlier this year
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The National Policeâs Densus 88 counterterrorism squad stands guard in a security operation to pursue members of a terrorist group led by the fugitive Santoso in Poso, Central Sulawesi, earlier this year. (tempo.co) (tempo.co)
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span class="caption">The National Police's Densus 88 counterterrorism squad stands guard in a security operation to pursue members of a terrorist group led by the fugitive Santoso in Poso, Central Sulawesi, earlier this year. (tempo.co)
The Central Sulawesi Police have arrested seven people suspected of being affiliated with the Santoso-led terrorist group, the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT). The arrests took place following a raid on the suspects' hiding locations in Tayawa Village, Tojo Unauna regency and Malino Village in North Morowali regency.
'This morning, a member of my squad reported the capture of three more people in Tayawa Village. In total, we have now captured seven people,' said Central Sulawesi Police Brig. Gen. Idham Azis in Palu on Thursday as quoted on Antara news agency.
He declined to provide details in regard to the operation or the identities of the suspected terrorists, who had been traveling to the Central Sulawesi provincial capital of Palu. 'Soon after they arrived in Palu, they will be fully interrogated. We will then be able to share details,' said Idham.
He said that the police accused the suspects of having been involved in terror acts carried out by the Santoso-led terrorist group.
Idham said that Operation Camar Maleo, the National Police-led operation designed to specifically hunt down Santoso and members of the MIT in Poso, would end on Jan. 9, 2016.
Idham said the police had captured 24 people suspected terrorists over the past few months. Seven of these suspects have died while the remaining 17 are currently facing the judicial system. During the operations, Idham also said that two police officers and one member of the military had died and four police officers had been injured.
The police have also confiscated evidence related to terrorism, mainly in the form of firearms, ammunition, homemade bombs, bomb-making materials and clothing.
Idham said that right now Santoso and around 31 of his men, who were believed to have been officially inducted as members of the Islamic State (IS), were still in hiding in the forests around Poso Pesisir, scattered out around Sausu district in Parigi regency and Napu in Poso.
'Their movement area is spread throughout 2,400 square kilometers of forest. However, they are increasingly becoming cornered and their logistics assets are decreasing as security personnel close in on them. InsyaAllah [God willing] Santoso and his group will soon be captured,' said Idham.
When asked about the continuation of Operation Camar Maleo, Idham would not reveal anything, adding that the operation was under the authority of the National Police.
However, he confirmed that following the termination of the operation on Jan. 9, regional policing outfits would continue with their own separate set of regional operations.
'We are in the process of finalizing our own independent operation. We will also change the operation code name and it will no longer be Camar Maleo,' he said. (liz/bbn)
