Indonesia Arrests 12 Terrorist Suspects Planning Attacks

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Twelve terrorist suspects who were arrested in Indonesia’s East Java Province have planned to carry out attacks, said the National Police’s Public Information Bureau Chief Brigadier General Rusdi Hartono on Monday.

The National Police's Densus 88 counterterrorism squad is still investigating the plans and the target of the attacks.

“They have also planned to take actions that we need to pay attention to. The plan can be done by the Densus 88,” Rusdi told a press conference in Jakarta, March 1.

Also read: Indonesian Counterterrorist Police Kill 2 Militants in Raid On Terrorist Cell 

He further added that the 12 terrorist suspects were arrested in different places on February 26. Eight people were arrested in Sidoardjo, two of them were arrested in Surabaya, and one person in Mojokerto and Malang, respectively.

Rusdi said the 12 suspected terrorists have been practicing various activities, including self-defense training. Besides, they also created a bunker that would be used for weapons and homemade bomb manufacturing activities.

“Then we have prepared an area to store the weapons and have also prepared a place of escape after carrying out terrorist activities,” he said.

Also read: Antiterror Squad Arrests Wife of Terrorist Group Leader in Indonesia’s Central Sulawesi

During the arrest, Rusdi said, Densus 88 also secured some weapons such as 50 bullets, a homemade pistol, and four black and white daulah flags. They also seized eight knives, two samurai, three machetes, and 23 bows.

“The activities of the group are similar to the Jamaah Islamiyah group, which is affiliated with the Al Qaeda and the group behind the Fahim group,” he said.

(Writer: Tsarina Maharani | Editor: Krisiandi)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/03/01/14552541/polri-sebut-12-teroris-yang-ditangkap-di-jatim-rencanakan-aksi-teror.