In a statement broadcast on Jenderal TNI Andika Perkasa’s YouTube channel on Friday, he urged military officers to use the opportunity to learn with the police properly.
"Utilize the cooperation forged in Operation Madago Raya to learn (about counter-terrorism)," Perkasa said.
Madago Raya is an ideal medium for officers to learn about measures taken by officers of the national police—authorized for law enforcement and criminal investigation duties—to tackle terrorism and radicalism, he added.
"Measures taken by them are highly procedural. Therefore, this must be emphasized to officers taking part in the operation," the military commander said.
He further said he is convinced that by studying the measures and procedures taken by the police, military officers taking part in the operation will gain more experience in counter-terrorism procedures for future assignments.
Operation Madago Raya is currently focusing on Poso district, Central Sulawesi, to eradicate the East Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT) terrorist group and establish conducive security in the region, he informed.
Since the joint military-police operation commenced in 2016, it has been successful in neutralizing MIT terrorist fugitives, and at present, only one fugitive remains at large.
Related news: TNI's Madago Raya task force personnel withdrawn as situation improves
To smoothen the conduct of the operation, Perkasa has committed to continuing to provide the necessary equipment, such as vehicles and defence equipment, to officers participating in the operation.
Last May, the TNI commander confirmed that some personnel deployed with the Madago Raya Task Force to look for MIT fugitives in Poso district had been withdrawn due to the improving security condition in the region.
During a working visit to Palu, Central Sulawesi, on May 13, 2022, he informed that of the initial 267 personnel that formed the task force, around 167 personnel had returned to their units, and only 100 personnel remained deployed in the area.
The remaining personnel belong to military units stationed within the Central Sulawesi province, Perkasa added.
Related news: Densus 88 arrest 24 suspected MIT, ISIS terrorist sympathizers
Translator: M Zulfikar, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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