"The Papua governor has asked the National Police's anti-terror squad, Densus 88, to intensify efforts to map and develop further (their operations) in several areas in Papua, including at transit points, residential areas, and places vulnerable to terror attacks," spokesperson for the governor, Muhammad Rifai Darus, said on Tuesday.
He said the governor hopes the National Police (Polri), the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), and the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) will consistently prioritize preventive efforts through their excellent programs for thwarting radicalism.
"The Papua governor has appealed to the relevant agencies to rehabilitate and nurture the families of (the suspected) terrorists arrested in Merauke," he added.
The governor has also called on all religious figures in Papua to preach humanitarian values and affection among their congregations.
"Governor Lukas Enembe believes that religious figures can play a very strategic role in thwarting radical actions for the sake of keeping the Unitary Republic of Indonesia intact," Darus said.
In separate arrests, Densus picked up 11 terror suspects with links to the Ansharut Daulah last week.
On May 28, 2021, Densus apprehended 10 persons suspected of planning suicide bombings at Merauke churches. Their involvement is also suspected in the suicide bombing in Makassar, South Sulawesi, early in January this year, police has said.
The 10 suspects, identified by their initials as AK, SB, ZR, UAT, DS, SD, WS, YK, AP, and IK, will be flown to Jayapura, the capital of Papua province, on Wednesday (June 2, 2021) for further questioning.
They were allegedly planning suicide bombings at several churches in Merauke, Jagebob, Kurik, Semangga, and Tanah Miring, but dropped their plan upon finding police personnel posted at the targeted sites, chief of the Merauke district police, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Untung Sangaji.
One more terror suspect was arrested on Sunday in Kurik, Merauke, Papua.
The suspect was arrested along with evidence, Sangaji informed on Monday.
Related news: Merauke terrorist group made loyalty oath to ISIS: Police spokesman
Related news: Densus arrests another terror suspect in Papua's Merauke
Translator: Hendrina Dian K/Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
