Battle against militants heats up in Poso

November 02, 2012

Comment | Print | Email |

Reset Text smaller

POSO, Indonesia – The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) is warning that the fight against militants in Poso, Central Sulawesi may become more dangerous on the heels of a police raid Wednesday (October 31st) against suspected terrorists, The Jakarta Post reported.

Anti-terror police seized bombs and a handgun during a raid in a village house in Poso, Sulawesi Island on Wednesday (October 31st). Indonesian police also shot and injured six suspected militants, killing one during a raid in the central district, considered a hotbed of terrorism. [Stringer/AFP]

BNPT chairman Ansyaad Mbai said nearly all terror suspects have gathered in Poso, now regarded as a hotbed for training.

"Poso is the place where the most-wanted terrorist suspects are hiding," Ansyaad said. "They train their followers to terrorise locals. This is why our men are now in the area to hunt them down."

Officials believe the terrorists may want to stir up tension between Christians and Muslims in Poso, in hopes of reviving sectarian conflict there.

In the Wednesday raid, police shot and injured six suspected militants, killing one.

The Jakarta Globe reported that police seized homemade bombs, explosives and a detonator in a second day of raids in Poso. Officers found the explosives in a computer repair shop in Bakti Agung village Wednesday night, according to National Police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar.