Police Remain Vigilant, Investigate Taliban Sympathizers In Indonesia

Head of the National Police Public Relations Division Inspector General Argo Yuwono (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Police are investigating the possibility of Taliban sympathizers in Indonesia following the crisis that occurred after the Taliban took control of the government in Afghanistan.

"We are conducting an investigation whether there is a connection or not, we cannot determine yet," said the Head of the Public Relations Division of the National Police Inspector General Argo Yuwono when confirmed in Jakarta, Antara, Sunday, August 22.

Until now, said Argo, the Police have not received any information about the presence of Taliban sympathizers in the country. For this reason, they are still investigating. "We have not received this information, the Police remain vigilant and continue to carry out investigations related to it," said Argo.

After the United States Government withdrew its troops from Afghanistan, the Islamic nationalist movement the Taliban took over the government.

This government crisis caused Afghans to try to get out of their country, resulting in chaos at Kabul Airport and killing a number of civilians.

In a virtual discussion discussing the impact of the Taliban leadership on terrorism in Indonesia, Saturday, several observers and practitioners said that the Taliban's victory in Afghanistan is unlikely to trigger acts of terrorism in Indonesia because there is no evidence to support this allegation.

"We don't need to worry about the Taliban's victory and its connection with acts of terrorism in Indonesia, because there is no empirical evidence that the victories of foreign movements triggering acts of terrorism in Indonesia, in this case, are related to Islam," said Imron Byhaqi alias Abu Tholut, an Indonesian citizen who once became a fighter in Afghanistan in the period around 1985-1992.

According to Abu Tholut, new acts of terror will occur if there is conflict, injustice, colonialism, and sad news.