"The joint security personnel are continuing to search for Santoso and his followers," National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said at the police headquarters in Jakarta on Tuesday, as reported by Antara news agency.

For the month of Ramadhan, the police have also assigned personnel to patrol mosques and at-risk public facilities in Poso to ensure local people’s safety.

"Operation Tinombala is also to make sure there are no disruptions for people carrying out religious activities," he said.

The situation in Poso is secure, Boy added, despite the ongoing operation and two bomb hoaxes last month.

Marking the biggest joint operation between the police and the Indonesian Military, Operation Tinombala began in January with a goal to arrest Santoso, aka Abu Wardah, and his guerillas who are hiding in the mountainous forests of Poso.

Despite Santoso remaining at large, the operation involving over 3,500 joint personnel has narrowed the group’s area and blocked their supplies, the police claim. Santoso's followers are reportedly down to 22 from an initial 45 members, following arrests and shootouts with security personnel.

Operation Tinombala is the continuation of Operation Camar Maleo, which was conducted throughout 2015. (rin)

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