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Batam terror cell preparing members for attacks: Police
A terror cell in Batam linked to Islamic State (IS) movement member Bahrun Naim has become active in recent years, with members allegedly beginning to train with firearms and preparing for suicide missions, a top police official said on Monday.
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Members of the National Police's antiterror squad Densus 88 raid the home of a suspected terrorist in Batam, Riau Islands, on Aug. 5. Densus 88 arrested six alleged members of the Khatibah Rahmat Dewa terror cell who were suspected of plotting an attack on Singapore. (Antara/M. N. Kanwa)
A terror cell in Batam linked to Islamic State (IS) movement member Bahrun Naim has become active in recent years, with members allegedly beginning to train with firearms and preparing for suicide missions, a top police official said on Monday.
The terror cell, dubbed Khatibah Rahmat Dewa, and its leader Gigih Rahmat Dewa have allegedly been actively developing their network, Riau Islands Police chief Brig. Gen. Sambudi Gusdian said.
The group had been working to expand in recent years, he said. Members allegedly facilitated Chinese Uighurs and Batam residents traveling to Syria. The group also recruited new members and prepared “brides” (suicide bombers) for attacks, Sambudi said, adding that no potential bombers from the group had been seen yet.
“The group has been regularly practicing shooting in Nongsa forest. The training is aimed at introducing firearms to the members,” he said on Monday.
The National Police's antiterror squad Densus 88 arrested six suspected militants on Friday who had allegedly plotted to attack Singapore’s Marina Bay using a rocket. The police later released one man but named the other five as suspects, including Gigih.
Based on preliminary investigations prior to the arrests, the police suspected Gigih of leading the pack while other members had different roles, Sambudi said. Of the suspects, Trio Syafrido was allegedly a field coordinator and Hady Gusti Yanda was treasurer, while Tarmidzi and Eka Syahputra allegedly assembled guns and conducted training, respectively.
The group is linked to Bahrun Naim, who hails from Surakarta, Central Java. He is believed to be in Syria and is suspected of masterminding a terror attack in Sarinah, Central Jakarta, that killed four civilians in January. (rin)
