Kendari, SE Sulawesi, April 7 (Antara) - The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) suspects that members of Santoso`s terror group have fled Poso`s mountainous area and crossed over to Southeast Sulawesi.
Terror suspects from Poso have likely entered its neighboring province of Southeast Sulawesi, Commander of the Haluoleo Military Resort 143 Commander Colonel CZI Rido Hermawan remarked here, Monday.
The military and police have cornered the Santoso-led terror suspects in Poso, Central Sulawesi, and have even killed two of the suspects lately.
Central Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi Provinces have become popular hideouts for terror suspects, and this should be anticipated since the beginning, he noted.
As many as 20 wanted terror suspects are believed to be hiding in the forests of Poso. They keep moving from one forest hill to another, covering an area of around 40 square kilometers.
Parts of Poso have been transformed into a battlefield as some 3.2 thousand Indonesian military officers of the Swift Reaction Strike Unit (PPRC) are participating in a massive military exercise against terrorists, being held for two weeks, since March 31, 2015.
TNI Commander General Moeldoko stated that the large-scale exercise is being organized as a precautionary measure to anticipate the emergence of radical groups in Indonesia.
"I suspect that the members of radical groups feel at ease in Poso. I am worried that those going to Iraq and Syria, following their return to Indonesia, will make Poso their base," the general stated while officially launching the military drill in Poso, South Sulawesi, on March 31, 2015.
Following the exercise, the TNI will carry out a territorial operation for three months in Poso to negate the impacts of the battle exercise by the PPRC, Fuad Basya informed Tempo on April 1, 2015.
During the operation, plantations and agricultural fields damaged due to the airstrikes will be restored, he added.
Other activities will also include social programs such as free medical services and renovation of the houses of local villagers. (F001/INE/O001/Ant)
Terror suspects from Poso have likely entered its neighboring province of Southeast Sulawesi, Commander of the Haluoleo Military Resort 143 Commander Colonel CZI Rido Hermawan remarked here, Monday.
The military and police have cornered the Santoso-led terror suspects in Poso, Central Sulawesi, and have even killed two of the suspects lately.
Central Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi Provinces have become popular hideouts for terror suspects, and this should be anticipated since the beginning, he noted.
As many as 20 wanted terror suspects are believed to be hiding in the forests of Poso. They keep moving from one forest hill to another, covering an area of around 40 square kilometers.
Parts of Poso have been transformed into a battlefield as some 3.2 thousand Indonesian military officers of the Swift Reaction Strike Unit (PPRC) are participating in a massive military exercise against terrorists, being held for two weeks, since March 31, 2015.
TNI Commander General Moeldoko stated that the large-scale exercise is being organized as a precautionary measure to anticipate the emergence of radical groups in Indonesia.
"I suspect that the members of radical groups feel at ease in Poso. I am worried that those going to Iraq and Syria, following their return to Indonesia, will make Poso their base," the general stated while officially launching the military drill in Poso, South Sulawesi, on March 31, 2015.
Following the exercise, the TNI will carry out a territorial operation for three months in Poso to negate the impacts of the battle exercise by the PPRC, Fuad Basya informed Tempo on April 1, 2015.
During the operation, plantations and agricultural fields damaged due to the airstrikes will be restored, he added.
Other activities will also include social programs such as free medical services and renovation of the houses of local villagers. (F001/INE/O001/Ant)