Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The police are committed to remain at the forefront in the fight against terrorism in the country, national police chief Timur Pradopo said on Saturday.

Timur made the statement following the killing of two more police officers of the Pondok Arean district police, shot by an armed motorcyclist on Friday (Aug.16).

"I think there are many opinions, but for sure the national police are at the forefront in fighting against terrorism. I think this is a point that should be analyzed to pave the way to solve the shooting case," he told the press prior to Indonesia`s 68th Independence Day ceremony at the Presidential Palace here on Saturday.

Regarding the two police officers shot by unidentified gunmen on Jalan Graha Raya, Pondok Aren, Tangerang in Banten province at 9.30pm on Friday (Aug.16), Timur said that his staff has conducted an investigation into the shooting case.

"Hopefully, the shooting incident can be solved quickly," he said.

When asked whether the assassins of the two police officers were members of a terrorist group, General Timur asked the public to wait until the investigation has finished before being told more details.

Second Brigadier Maulana and Second Adjunct Inspector Kus Hendratma from the Pondok Aren police sector were shot by unidentified gunmen on Friday night on Jalan Graha Raya, Pondok Aren, Tangerang in the Banten province, Jakarta Metropolitan Police spokesman Senior Commissioner Rikwanto told Antara here on Saturday.

He said Second Adjunct Inspector Kus Hendratma was on his way to attend a roll call at Pondok Aren police sector when two men on a Mio scooter rode close and shot him. He received wounds to the back of his head, according to officials.

A police car traveling behind the officers chased the two men and struck their motorbike.

The riders then jumped off their motorbike and shot the driver, Chief Brigadier Maulana, who had exited the car, and later died, Rikwanto said.

A shootout then took place, though the attackers managed to flee by escaping on a motorbike they took from nearby and drove towards Pamulang.

According to Rikwanto, a witness said one of the attackers was wounded, while another carried a pistol.

The victims were transported to the police hospital in Kramatjati, East Jakarta, while the motorbike used by the attackers was taken to Pondok Aren police sector.

Officials report that national police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo and his deputy Comr. Gen. Oengroseno looked in on the two dead officers at the Kramatjati police hospital on Saturday morning.

(B003/INE/KR-BSR)

Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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