"In connection with the recent arrest of three terrorist suspects by Densus 88 (anti-terrorist squad), we are now deepening our investigation (to see if they are connected with ISIS) after finding and confiscating ISIS flags in their possession. We are continuing our investigation," National Police Command spokesman Senior Commissioner Agus Riyanto said here on Monday.
Densus 88 recently arrested three terrorist suspects who had been placed on the polices wanted list for a long time.
Two of the suspects - Guntur Pamungkas and Kardi - were arrested in Ngawi, East Java, on August 8 and the other one, who is also the executive chief of Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT), Afif Abdul Majid alias Afif, was arrested on August 9 in Jatiasih, Bekasi, West Java.
According to police data, Agus said, the three were believed to be involved in a terrorist action in 2010 and also in several other terrorist activities in a number of locations.
He said the police would develop the case to see if they were linked with alleged ISIS supporters.
"When we arrested them, we also discovered items associated with ISIS, so these will be analyzed," he noted.
Agus claimed Guntur Pamungkas and Kardi were strongly believed to be connected with the Mujahidin Indonesia Timur (MIT) group.
The two were also believed to support ISIS, although they have never made any such declaration.
Afif Abdul Majid, however, has already declared himself a supporter of ISIS along with another Islamic religious teacher, known by his initials as ABB.
National police chief General Sutarman pointed out that hardline groups in Indonesia were prone to ISIS influence.
"In view of that, the police will take preventive measures, and law enforcement action will be the last resort. We appeal to the people to avoid being influenced (by ISIS supporters)," he remarked.
Video footage of an Indonesian fighter calling on fellow Muslims in the country to join ISIS was recently uploaded on social media site YouTube, quickly going viral in the country.
Some terrorist prisoners, meanwhile, have also been reported to have declared their allegiance to the Islamic State.
Reporting by Yuni Arisandy
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Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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