The task force confirmed that Ahmad Panjang alias Ahmad Gazali of MIT was killed in a gunfight, but did not release further details about the armed confrontation.
"It's true that it happened," Police Commissioner Didik Supranoto, spokesperson for Operation Madago Raya, said here on Tuesday.
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The head of the Central Sulawesi Police has left for the scene of the shootout and will soon issue a press statement about it, he added.
“Initial information that there was a shootout involving Ahmad Gazali alias Ahmad Panjang. However, for confirmation, the (Central Sulawesi) Police chief will provide information on when and where (it happened). (He) just headed to Parigi,'' he informed.
Based on data from the Madago Raya Task Force, Ahmad Gazali alias Ahmad Panjang was among four members of MIT Poso on the wanted list. The others have been identified as Askar alias Jaid alias Pak Guru, Nae alias Galuh alias Muklas, and Suhardin alias Hasan Pranata.
The four members are suspected to be still wandering in the mountains of Poso, Parigi Moutong, and Sigi districts, Supranoto said.
Operation Madago Raya is a continuation of Operation Tinombala, involving the Indonesian Defense Forces and Police personnel, which was launched in 2016 to hunt alleged terrorists in Poso, he added.
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Translator: Rangga Musabar, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
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