Hunting For Three Terrorist DPOs In Poso, 1,378 TNI-Polri Personnel Are Deployed

TNI-Polri personnel involved in the hunt for the remaining DPO MIT Poso in the area of operation of Madago Raya. ANTARA/ (Kristina Natalia)

POSO - A total of 1,378 TNI-Polri personnel were deployed in the Madago Raya operation phase I 2022 to pursue three wanted lists (DPOs) for suspected Poso terrorists.

The 1,378 personnel are divided into 1,111 Polri personnel and 267 TNI personnel and are divided into three operating areas, namely Poso, Sigi and Parigi Moutong Regencies.

"Phase I of the Madago Raya operation in 2022, this time the police force is 1,111 personnel and the TNI is 267 personnel," explained Head of the Madago Raya Operations Public Relations Task Force Kombes Didik Supranoto in Poso, reported by Antara, Thursday, January 20.

Didik said the search for the remaining three members of the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) Poso was continuing. The first phase of the Madago Raya operation in 2022 was directly led by the Central Sulawesi Police Chief Inspector General Rudy Sufahriadi, Thursday 20/01.

"Initially the operation was carried out by air patrols to monitor the movement of the DPOs and continued by tracing the area of operation through land patrols at bulkhead posts in Poso and Sigi Regencies," he explained.

Didik added that the fourth phase of the Madago Raya operation in 2021, has involved 1,357 personnel, which are divided into 1,089 members of the National Police and 267 members of the TNI.

"This operation has been extended because there are still three DPOs who are suspected to be hiding in Poso, Sigi and Parigi Moutong Regencies," said Didik.

"The personnel deployed will pursue the remaining DPOs and will assist the community as well as those carrying out activities in the area of operation," he added.

Currently, the remaining DPO MIT Poso are Askar alias Pak Guru alias Jafar, Suarfin alias Farhan alias Abu Fahran and Imam alias Nae alias Galuh.

"Previously, one DPO was disabled, namely Ahmad Al Gazali alias Ahmad Panjang alias Basir in the Parigi Moutong Regency area," he explained.

Apart from conducting air and ground patrols, the task force also regularly conducts raids to thwart the access of sympathizers who are suspected of still assisting DPOs in meeting food logistics and information needs.

"Residents who are going to the plantation are also checked and it is confirmed that the raids in the area of operation will narrow the movement of DPOs and their sympathizers," he explained.

Didik hopes that the DPOs will immediately surrender to the TNI and Polri through community intermediaries or religious leaders who are in the area of operation.

"The regional police chief has advised that he should surrender himself because the search is still ongoing," said Didik.