Three alleged terrorists captured in Poso

Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu | Archipelago | Sat, October 20 2012, 10:11 AM

Paper Edition | Page: 5

Central Sulawesi Police have arrested three terrorism suspects in Poso and brought them to their headquarters in Palu for questioning. They are identified as Halim Luse, 47, Naim Luse, 50, and Mohammed Rusland, 42.

Police have also seized evidence in the form of books on jihad, scores of arrows, a sword, a keris and pamphlets for the call on jihad. Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Dewa Parsana the arrests on Friday afternoon.

“True, three of the suspects were arrested in North Lore district. The arrest was led by local police chief Second Insp. A.J. Rumapar and also involved the local military command and elements from the local administration,” said Dewa.

Police have yet to determine whether the three men were involved in the murder of two police officers, Chief Brig. Sudirman and Brig. Andi Sappa, in Tamanjeka, Poso Pesisir district in Poso regency, as they are still building the case.

“However, for sure, the three suspects were reported to have just arrived in North Lore. Residents have raised suspicions about their presence and reported them to police and they were arrested later,” said Dewa.

The police, Indonesian Military (TNI) and the police’ Densus 88 antiterrorism unit are currently conducting an operation to search a number of places in Poso and are inspecting every vehicle entering and exiting the area. Police speculated that two locations — Tamanjeka in Poso Pesisir and Malino — had been turned into training camps by terrorist groups. “All the locations are located in the jungle,” said Dewa.