Indonesia's police spokesman Brig. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said two alleged terrorists captured on Saturday morning in Poso, Central Sulawesi, were connected to Santoso, the alleged mastermind behind the recent violence in the region.
“The two were linked to the previous terrorist group, and in particular Santoso. They planned terrorist attacks around Palu, the provincial capital,” he told reporters in Jakarta.
During the raid, the National Police Densus 88 antiterrorism squad shot dead one suspect, identified as Abdul Halid Tumbingoa, 24, after he threw homemade bombs at members of the raiding team. The other suspect, identified as Yasin, was apprehended and taken to a police detention centre in Palu.
The body of Halid, believed to be a park ranger, was taken to Bhayangkara Police Hospital for autopsy.
According to Boy, police were negotiating with local leaders, including councilors, to respond to residents’ protests at the apprehension of Yasin, known as a prominent local Islamic cleric.
“The raid was based on evidence collected by investigators. This evidence led us to him, who is also known as a local figure. We guarantee that this procedure will be accountable and transparent,” he said.
While making his statement about Saturday’s raid, Boy also announced that the police had finished examining the body of Jipo, aka Ibeng, a suspected terrorist killed during a shootout in Kalora village, North Poso Pesisir district, Central Sulawesi, on Wednesday.
Boy said that Jipo’s family could collect his body. “The family can contact the Kramat Jati Police Hospital in East Jakarta to take his remains. We believe that Jipo is an East Nusa Tenggara native,” he added.
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