We are still awaiting the final outcomes of the investigation of the National Police's counterterrorism squad Densus 88Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - The Papua police still awaits the final outcomes of a probe into nine men and a woman recently apprehended for allegedly plotting to attack several churches in Merauke District.
"We are still awaiting the final outcomes of the investigation of the National Police's counterterrorism squad Densus 88," Papua Police Chief Insp. Gen. Mathius Fakhiri stated.
The suspects, only identified by their initials as AK, SB, ZR, UAT, DS, SD, WS, YK, AP, and IK, were taken into arrest in Merauke District, Papua Province, on May 28, 2021.
According to the police chief, the Densus 88 personnel confiscated several goods from the suspects, including sharp weapons and firearms.
Fakhiri further revealed that among the suspects was a married couple identified by the initials as AP and IK.
"On June 2, all suspects will be taken to Jayapura," he noted in a statement that ANTARA quoted in Jayapura, the capital of Papua Province, on Monday.
The police have accused them of plotting to launch suicide bombing attacks on several churches in the sub-districts of Merauke, Jagebob, Kurik, Semangga, and Tanah Tinggi.
However, they were arrested before conducting their plot. The police claimed that the suspects had frequently visited Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi Province. Several of them might have even had links to the Makassar suicide bombing case, Fakhiri stated.
Since 2000, Indonesia has become the target of terrorist attacks, and the spread of radicalism and terrorism continues to threaten the nation.
On March 28, 2021, two suicide bombers blew themselves up outside a church on Kajaolalido Road in the Baru neighborhood area of Makassar.
The couple attempted in vain to enter the church compound after security guards stopped them at the gate when a Palm Sunday Mass service had recently ended.
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At least 20 people, including churchgoers and the church's security guards at the gate, got injured in the blast.
The suicide bombers, who reportedly belong to a JAD network, died shortly after conducting their attack by using a pressure cooker bomb at about 10:30 a.m. local time.
However, over these past four months, Papua has also borne the brunt of a string of deadly attacks by armed Papuan terrorist groups targeting innocent civilians in districts, such as Puncak and Intan Jaya.
The armed groups often employ hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian security personnel while unleashing acts of terror against civilians to trigger fear among the people.
Ojek drivers, teachers, students, and street food vendors, among others, have fallen victims to their terror acts. They also attacked civilian aircraft.
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Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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