"Yes, we have confirmation that they are indeed members of a terror network led by Santoso," stated National Police Chief General Sutarman.
He claimed that the Santoso group has a firm grip over the area in Gunung Biru, which they also use as their training ground.
"After spotting our men in police uniform, they immediately launched an attack on them. They were the first to open fire. We were easy targets for them," he noted.
Sutarman explained that the police personnel from the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) were conducting a routine patrol when they suddenly noticed several people suspected to be members of a terrorist group. The terror suspects then immediately launched an attack on the police team.
In the gun battle that ensued, one Brimob member, Private First Class Putu Satria died on the spot after he was shot in the chest.
Central Sulawesi Police Command Chief Brigadier General Ari Dono Sukmanto had also earlier claimed that the armed members were part of a terror cell led by Santoso, who is still on the wanted list of the police.
"Among the indications, which point to them being members of the Santoso-led group, is the fact that, so far, there has been no other group operating in that area," he remarked.
He explained that the group members are difficult to catch, as they are constantly changing locations.
"The members often come and go, some from Bima (West Nusa Tenggara), while others from Java or Kalimantan," he noted.
He also suspected that the group had conducted training in Gunung Biru, Poso.
One member of the armed civilian group had been killed in the shootout, Central Sulawesi Police Command spokesman Adjunct Senior Police Commissioner Soemarno told Antara in Jakarta on Thursday.
He stated that the group member killed during the clash was known by the initial F.
Soemarno added that another member of the group suffered a gunshot wound in the leg.
He emphasized that the police are now searching for the other members of the group who were involved in the clash. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
