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Four killed in alleged MIT attack in Sigi, reigniting concerns over sectarian conflict
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Operation Tinombala personnel carry the body of Sobron, an East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) terrorist group member who was shot dead in 2016. (JP/Ruslan Sangadji)
F
our residents of Lembantongoa village in Sigi regency, Central Sulawesi, were killed on Friday in an apparent terrorist attack attributed to the East Indonesia Mujahiddin (MIT) extremist group.
Brig. Gen. Farid Makruf, commander of the 132/Tadulako Regional Military Command (Korem) in Palu, said that the attack had included arson. A venue for local Christians and six houses were destroyed in the blaze.
Two victims were beheaded and the other two died of severe burns, he said in a written statement.
Farid denied that the attack was carried out against a specific religious group as it had also affected non-Christian families residing in the area.
“The event had nothing to do with SARA [ethnicity, religion and race],” Farid said. “According to witness statements, it was an effort by the MIT to fulfill their [goals] and show their existence.”
He also denied the authenticity of a video that has circulated on social media purporting to depict a burn victim from the attack.
The government and civil society groups have condemned the killing and urged a thorough investigation of the alleged terror attack.
