Densus 88 spokesperson Senior Commissioner, Aswin Siregar, noted in a press conference here on Wednesday that two recent arrests of suspected terrorists in East Java and Jakarta are not related to terror threats on Independence Day.
Siregar remarked that the ISIS sympathizers were arrested to serve as a deterrent effect against potential terror attacks that the suspects may carry out in the future. He also affirmed that Densus 88 will work incessantly to take action against possible terror attacks.
"We do not need any trigger, such as the (Independence Day) on August 17, to bolster our work. Densus 88 is conducting its monitoring 24 hours every day," he remarked.
On August 6, the Densus 88 arrested suspected terrorists RJ and AM, who are active in pro-ISIS propaganda on social media. The police unit confiscated airsoft guns, ISIS uniforms, and some weapons during the arrest.
Densus 88 revealed that RJ and AM had assembled explosives before their arrest. The police investigation into their motive to assemble the explosives is underway.
Meanwhile, the police unit also carried out an operation to arrest HOK, a 19-year-old suspected terrorist, in Malang, East Java, on July 31. He is also an ISIS sympathizer.
According to Densus 88, HOK is planning to conduct a suicide bombing at a worship place. A bottle containing high-explosive liquid and a jar containing metal pellets were seized during the arrest.
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Translator: Nadia Putri R, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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