Indonesian counterterror force nabs nine suspects in Central Java
They're allegedly affiliated with the Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist group.
JAKARTA: Indonesia’s counterterrorism force reportedly arrested nine terror suspects in Central Java province on Thursday (Dec.14).
The National Police's Public Information Bureau chief, Brigadier General Ahmad Ramadhan, said in a statement the suspects were believed affiliated with the Jemaah Islamiyah terror group, CNN Indonesia reported.
He identified the nine using their initials, WH, SW, TN, SP, SY, HR, MY, SD and TB.
Ramadhan said the police counterterror force, Densus 88, made the arrests in a number of areas including Sukoharjo, Sragen, Klaten and Boyolali.Â
During the arrest, investigators also confiscated some alleged evidence including six short-barreled firearms.
"Then ten rounds of PCP (gas weapon) calibre 6 mm and 8 mm, two arrows crossbow," he said.Â
The investigators also found 70 rounds of ammunition for the long-barrelled firearms, 107 rounds of ammunition type 3.8 and 69 rounds of ammunition type 9.9.
Ramadhan did not reveal further details about the role of the terrorist suspects. He said investigations are ongoing.
Jemaah Islamiyah or JI as the group is widely known was reported to be linked to al-Qaeda at the heights of its existence in the early 2000s.
JI was tagged in several attacks and bombings including the infamous 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people.
Counter-terrorism is distinct and uses soft power diplomacy where as Anti-terrorism is what densus 88 is and uses hard power. This way of dealing with terrorist perpetuates the cycle of violence.