Indonesian police in Jakarta (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Indonesian police spokesman Rikwanto said on October 25 that authorities arrested nine men suspected of having links to a militant network loyal to the Islamic State and planning a series of attacks on police posts.
Eight of them were arrested in Riau province and the other in the southern province of Sulawesi, he said, adding that they were planning attacks on police stations from the district to provincial level, and were suspected of joining a training camp where they learned how to use guns and make bombs.
Among them, Wawan, alias Abu Afif, 42, had instigated other militants to launch the attacks.
Detachment 88, the country's elite counter-terrorism police unit, usually steps up surveillance and raids near the end of the year, foiling militant plots targeting New Year's Eve and Christmas celebrations and popular tourist spots.
Authorities suspected that there are hundreds of IS sympathisers in Indonesia, some of whom have travelled to Syria to fight alongside the group. There are increasing concerns over the return of battle-hardened militants as the IS loses ground in the Middle East.-VNA
Eight of them were arrested in Riau province and the other in the southern province of Sulawesi, he said, adding that they were planning attacks on police stations from the district to provincial level, and were suspected of joining a training camp where they learned how to use guns and make bombs.
Among them, Wawan, alias Abu Afif, 42, had instigated other militants to launch the attacks.
Detachment 88, the country's elite counter-terrorism police unit, usually steps up surveillance and raids near the end of the year, foiling militant plots targeting New Year's Eve and Christmas celebrations and popular tourist spots.
Authorities suspected that there are hundreds of IS sympathisers in Indonesia, some of whom have travelled to Syria to fight alongside the group. There are increasing concerns over the return of battle-hardened militants as the IS loses ground in the Middle East.-VNA
VNA
