TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Police have hinted that some radical groups linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) planned to infiltrate the December 2, 2016 rally, which will be held as a follow up to a previous rally on November 4, 2016. The massive rally will be held in an attempt to force the government to arrest Jakarta Governor candidate Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama for alleged blasphemy.
Special Counter-Terrorism Detachment 88 (Densus 88) is currently hunting the members of two terrorist networks suspected of planning the terror attacks: Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) and Khafilah Syuhada al-Hawariyun. "Terror groups will attempt to join [the rally]. If they take advantage of the demonstration, I will take action," Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said at the Nahdlatul Ulama executive committee office on Sunday, November 27, 2016.
In the past weeks, Densus 88 had arrested members of radical groups. On Sunday, November 27, 2016, the Police announced that they had arrested Bahrain Agam at Gampong Blang Tuerakan in North Aceh, and Siaful Bahri alias Abu Syifa in Baros Village, Banten, for their suspected involvement in terrorist group.
Bahrian and Saiful are suspected to be linked to Rio Priatna Wibawa, who was arrested last Wednesday in Majalengka, West Java, for allegedly attempting to make high explosive bombs that will be used for terror attacks in Jakarta. Police identified the three suspects in the terror network led by Muhammad Bahrun Na'im Anggih Tamtomo, former terrorist who was convicted of possession of ammunition in Solo. Many believed that Bahrun is now in Syria.
Bahrun Na'im is suspected to be the mastermind of the bomb attacks in Thamrin, Jakarta, earlier in January. Reports said that he is a member of JAD led by Aman Abdurrahman, convicted terrorist currently jailed in Nusakambangan.
The National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said that Densus 88 had also arrested nine members of Khafilah Syuhada al-Hawariyun, a terrorist group led by Saulihun also known as Abu Nusaibah on Saturday, November 26, 2016, in Jakarta and Bekasi. The suspects are allegedly linked to ISIS leader Abu Bakar al-Bhagdadi.
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