Central Sulawesi police arrested two men with suspected links to Indonesia's most wanted militant, thanks to a tip from local residents.
Police nabbed the suspects along with a homemade bomb, a pistol and bullets, in a hut on the side of Tamanjeka mountain late Monday (March 3rd). Residents of nearby Kilo village reported seeing men walking around the village with weapons, Antara reported.
The report led to a shootout between police and ten to 15 armed men in which two local Brimob officers were injured.
The two men, Rodik and Aji, are suspected couriers for Eastern Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT) commander Santoso. Police hope they will provide information leading to the capture of the MIT commander, Antara quoted officials as saying.
"Following the arrest of the two men, we may be able to find where the group members have been hiding in the forest," National Police Chief Sutarman said in Jakarta.
Vote to be heard: Poso residents
Poso residents urge authorities to improve regional security, and for fellow citizens to vote.
"We want the government to be aware of the local politics in Poso and make sure that people's voices have been heard. This coming election is a chance," local resident Taufik Hidayanto said. "It can make a difference in Poso."
Authorities also need to step up their counterterrorism efforts, fellow Poso resident Ahmadi Rusdi said.
"The threat has continued even though many of them [terrorists] have already been arrested," Ahmadi, 45, told Khabar. "Who knows what they are capable of doing? I hope the various approaches, such as a deradicalisation programme, can be effective in reducing terrorist attacks."
Residents on edge
Extremists previously attacked provincial police and terrorised residents with a series of violent incidents.
On February 24th, unknown assailants hurled a homemade bomb at Palu's Graha Pena office building, which houses the Radar Sulteng newspaper and Radar TV station.
No one was hurt in the incident, local officials said. Nevertheless, the explosion forced hundreds of Radar employees to evacuate.
"I had just entered the security office for a few minutes before the explosion occurred," Purnamo, a building security guard, told Khabar.
"The explosion sounded like a bomb and caused a thick smoke and strong smell," he added. "I had to run to help rescue employees from the building."
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