TNI Starts Withdrawing Troops From The Madago Raya Task Force In Poso

TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa/Antara

PALU - Some of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) soldiers who are members of the Madago Raya Task Force (Satgas) to crush the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) terrorist group have begun to be withdrawn from Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi Province.

"Hundreds of TNI soldiers have been withdrawn and returned to their respective units gradually since last March," said TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa during a working visit in Palu, reported by Antara, Friday, May 13.

He explained that the TNI soldiers who were deployed to destroy the MIT group in Poso were 267 soldiers. Of that number, 167 soldiers have been returned to their respective units and now only 100 soldiers are in the field.

Of the 100 TNI soldiers who are still part of the Madago Raya Operations Task Force, he said, none are from units outside the region. The personnel in place fully rely on the soldiers in Central Sulawesi.

"In general, the security conditions in the three locus of operations, namely Poso, Parigi Moutong, and Sigi Regencies are gradually improving," Andika said. It was reported that currently only one member of MIT is left and is still hiding in the forest after one of their members was shot by the security forces some time ago. law enforcement operations for criminal acts of terrorism in Central Sulawesi," said Andika.

Referring to efforts to prevent radicalism, the TNI Commander hopes that regional heads can empower the presence of 150 TNI personnel involved in the TNI Manunggal Enters Village (TMMD) Program.

"We are trying to find one TMMD locus point in Central Sulawesi from 50 points spread across the country. We hope that the areas targeted by TMMD will be able to use soldiers to educate the public so that they are not exposed to radical ideas," said Andika.