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BNPT chief urges Santoso to consider public and leave hideout
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Pledge - East Indonesia Mujahiddin (MIT) leader Santoso (center) reads out an oath of loyalty to Islamic State leader Abubakr Albaghdadi Alhusaini Alquraisy in this video footage. (Courtesy of the Operation Tinombala Task Force/Ruslan Sangadji)
N
ational Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) chief Comr. Gen. Tito Karnavian has called on Indonesia's most wanted terrorist, Santoso, and his fellow guerillas to come out of hiding for the sake of public security amid the ongoing Operation Tinombala in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi.
Santoso's terrorist group, the East Indonesia Mujahidin, has caused public unease following the deployment of thousands of security personnel involved in the manhunt for his capture, Tito said on Thursday.
"We hope they will come down from the mountain, not surrender, for the sake of the people," he said in Jakarta as quoted by Antara news agency.
Santoso and his followers are being hunted down by security personnel, who have cut their access to supplies, Tito said. The group's members have been reduced to only 22 people as some have been arrested or killed in shootouts with security personnel.
"If the group's members really care for the people, they must come down and face legal procedures with big hearts," said the former Jakarta Police chief.
At least 3,500 joint police and Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel have been deployed in Operation Tinombala, which began in January, to capture Santoso, aka Abu Wardah, and his followers, who are believed to be hiding in Poso forests.
The government has intensified Operation Tinombala as well as used persuasive measures in a bid to bring an end to Santoso's alleged reign of terror. No deadline has been set for the operation to end.
Despite fewer members and a lack of supplies, Tito acknowledged that there had been challenges in capturing Santoso and his group, particularly the difficult terrain.
Poso's mountainous terrain and thickly forested areas has hampered the movement of thousands of security personnel in sweeping the area in search of the group's members, who have allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group. (rin)
