Indonesia hunts terrorist followers, militants
Xinhua, July 20, 2016 Adjust font size:
Indonesian police and armed forces were hunting members of East Indonesia Mujahidin led by the most-wanted terrorist Santoso alias Abu Wardah, police said here Wednesday.
Santoso was shot dead along with one of his followers Mukhtar on Monday by soldiers in a deep forest of Poso, but Basri, believed to be Santoso's trusty henchman escaped.
"Should Santoso's followers are allowed to keep operating, there will be succession," National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian said on Wednesday.
About 19 Santoso's followers remain at large, although the figure has fallen sharply since a military operation was launched earlier this year, according to the police.
Santoso's group, linked to the Islamic State group, has involved in a series of terrorist strikes in Indonesia, including the suicide bombings in the capital Jakarta on January 24 that killed eight people and injured nearly 30 others.
Meanwhile, the police are also targeting Arif Hidayat militant cell in Bekasi, an outskirt of Jakarta.
"There is another target, it is namely Arif Hidayat group. There are some persons who are under monitoring of our personals now," a police officer said.
On concern of possible backlash, National Intelligence Chief Sutiyoso said, "So far, the potential of backlash to happen has not been detected. If it has, the armed forces are ready to face it." Endit