Members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) cross a river in
Poso in Central Sulawesi
The Central Sulawesi Police have warned civilians and security personnel
alike to remain alert to the possibility of a counterattack from Indonesia's
most wanted terrorist, Santoso, as Operation Tinombala enters its fourth month.
The
operation, launched in January with the involvement of more than 3,500
Indonesian Military (TNI) and police personnel, has yet to lead to the capture
of the terrorist also known as Abu Wardah.
Security
personnel including military elite troops have combed the forested Napu Valley
spanning four districts of Poso regency - North Lore, Central Lore, East Lore
and Lore Peore - in search of Santoso and fellow members of the East Indonesia
Mujahidin (MIT) group.
The
joint forces are believed to have cornered the group following the
intensification of the search in the Napu Valley, but the fugitive remains on
the loose.
Operation
Tinombala personnel have also been following up villagers' reports of sightings
of unknown men in the village of Sanginora in Poso Pesisir Selatan subdistrict.
Security
authorities believe that Santoso's guerillas, who have pledged allegiance to
the militant group Islamic State (IS), were previously hiding in Tamanjeka
forest, on Mount Biru and in other parts of Poso Pesisir.
Operation
Tinombala is a successor to similar joint operations ongoing since 2013.
Operations
Camar Maleo I, II, III and IV were launched last year to no avail, although
Santoso's right hand man, Daeng Koro aka Sabar Subagyo aka Antatrawa, was
killed during a shootout in Parigi Moutong.
Operation
Tinombala had so far led to the deaths or arrests of 10 members of the MIT. The
group is now down to 29 people, including three women, Rudy said.
Operation
leaders have blamed the local geography for the lack of success so far.
Santoso's
hideaway was in primary forest spanning 7,000 kilometers of mountainous
terrain.
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