Nine Indonesian terror suspects nabbed
Five suspects with al-Qaeda-linked group, four with pro-IS group.
JAKARTA: Indonesia’s counterterrorism force has arrested nine terror suspects in three provinces.
Densus 88 made the arrests in West Kalimantan, South Sumatra and West Nusa Tenggara, it has been reported.
Indonesian National Police (Polri) spokesman Ahmad Ramadhan said one suspect was arrested in West Kalimantan province on Thursday (Oct 19).
The terrorist, said Ramadhan, was part of the pro-IS Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) terror network.
Five terror suspects, allegedly members of the al-Qaeda aligned Jemaah Islamiyah group, were arrested in South Sumatra province on Wednesday (Oct 18), added Ramadhan.
Meanwhile, three suspects were picked up in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara province, allegedly members of JAD also.Â
Densus 88 spokesman Aswin Siregar confirmed the arrests to SEA MLITANCY.
"Our officers are still working intensively on the field. We will provide further explanations through police HQ PR office," Siregar said in a text message to this writer, referring to Polri’s public relations office.
Polri chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo recently urged vigilance against terror activities in light of the pre-election season as the Southeast Asian country is set to hold a presidential election in February next year.
"Terrorism must be a serious concern. There were six terror attacks during the 2019 elections, and this must not happen in the 2024 elections," he said on Tuesday (Oct 17).
The JAD is responsible for a string of suicide attacks in Indonesia and the southern Philippines including church bombings in both nations.Â
Meanwhile, the JI was behind the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people, and the 2003 Marriott Hotel bombing in Jakarta.