Central Sulawesi Police Chief: Dozens Of Poso And Ampana Residents Allegedly Involved In Terrorist Groups

The Madago Raya Task Force is on guard in Manggalapi Village, Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi, which is the area of operations to hunt for DPO suspected of being the MIT Poso terrorist group. ANTARA/ Kristina Natalia

PALU - Dozens of residents of Poso and Ampana regencies, Central Sulawesi, were detained by the Special Detachment (Densus) 88 Anti-terror Police Headquarters for allegedly being involved with a terrorist group.

Central Sulawesi Police Chief Inspector General Rudy Sufahriadi said that further information would be released soon by the Central Sulawesi Police.

"Polda's PR will be released, the schedule is being finalized," he said, quoted by Antara, Monday, May 16.

Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations of the Central Sulawesi Regional Police Kombes Didik Supranoto said that currently the Central Sulawesi Police are working with Densus 88 of the Central Sulawesi Regional Police to prevent acts of terrorism, especially in the area of operation.

"This includes preventing the role of sympathizers who help the MIT Poso group," he said.

The Madago Raya Task Force is currently pursuing two suspected Poso terrorists who are on the wanted list (DPO).

The two DPOs of the Poso East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) group are Askar Alias Jaid alias Pak Guru and Muhklas alias Galuh Alias Nae.

"The pursuit continues and never stops," said Didik.

In addition, the Task Force also routinely conducts raids in three hunting operation areas, namely Sigi, Parigi Moutong, and Poso Regencies to anticipate aid and the movement of sympathizers.

"We hope for the support of the residents and we still urge the DPOs to surrender," he explained.

Until now, the strength of the Madago Raya Task Force amounted to 1,376 combined TNI and Polri personnel.