TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Two terror suspects were shot dead in a shootout between terrorist group East Indonesian Mujahideen and the so-called Tinombala joint task force yesterday in the mountains of Poso, Central Sulawesi.
Tempo learned that the incident took place at 12:10 pm Central Indonesia Time. A member of the Tinombala task force was also injured. The task force seized a SS-1 rifle and an air gun.
Poso Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Bogiek Sugiyarto has confirmed the report.
Police noted that nine members of the Santoso-led terrorist group are still hiding in the mountains of Poso, Central Sulawesi. They are Ali Ahmad alias Ali Kalora, Firdaus alias Daus alias Barok Rangga, Kholid, Askar alias Jaid, Basir, Abu Alim, Qatar alias Farel, Moh. Faizal, and Nae alias Galuh. The joint task force comprising the military and police continues to hunt them.
Santoso alias Abu Wardah and his subordinate Mukhtar died in a shootout with Tinombala task force in 2016. At that point, Santoso had 19 guerilla fighters. They are now 9 men left as some of the members were killed or arrested during Operation Tinombala.
AMAR BURASE
