Densus 88 Arrest Alleged AQAP Terrorist in Gorontalo

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Counterterrorism Special Detachment 88 (Densus 88) arrested a man, YLK, in Mongolato Village, Telaga Sub-district, Gorontalo Province, on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. The man was allegedly affiliated with the terrorist group Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). 

“YLK was found to have planned a terror attack against Singapore Exchange in 2014,” Densus 88 wrote in an official statement received by Tempo on Monday, September 2, 2024.

YLK has an extensive track record in terrorism. Prior to AQAP, he participated in Camp Hudaibiyah in the Philippines from 1998 to 2000. In 2001, YLK attended the paramilitary training of stage 2 Muqoyama Basdar in East Java, a program run by Jamaah Islamiyah. 

The man was also detained in 2003 for firearms possession, given by him from UM, a convict in the first Bali Bombing. In 2012, YLK joined Jamaah Anshor Tauhid (JAT) and was deployed to Yemen as part of the AQAP global jihad. 

YLK’s departure to Yemen was facilitated by ABU, the former Lajnah Roqobah (responsible for recruitment) of the Jamaah Ansharuh Syariah. ABU has been arrested by Densus 88. While in Yemen, YLK was assigned to carry out a terror attack against the Singapore Exchange under AQAP’s command. 

In 2015, he attempted to enter Singapore by sea but was turned away by Singapore’s immigration. He was deported to Batam. After 2016, YLK attempted to cover his tracks by changing his identity. 

During the arrest in Gorontalo, Densus 88 found several pieces of evidence that pointed to YLK’s terrorist activities. One of which was the Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia’s preaching bulletin, a passport for Yudi Lukito Kurniawan, and a piece of Singapore immigration’s inspection document.

INTAN SETIAWANTY

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