Military Chief In Poso To Observe Quick Reaction Force's Exercise

Poso, C Sulawesi (Antara Bali) - Chief of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) General Moeldoko is in Poso district, Central Sulawesi, on Tuesday, to get a first-hand glimpse of a military exercise being conducted by the Quick Reaction Strike Force (PPRC).

General Moeldoko was accompanied by Army Chief of Staff General Gatot Nurmantyo and Naval Chief of Staff Admiral Ade Supandi, among several others.

During the exercise, thousands of military personnel tried to capture terrorists who wanted to seize control of the Southeast Asian countries. The military officers surrounded and attacked the terrorists' bases in a mountainous and coastal area. The TNI deploys warships and jet fighters such as F16s to attack the terrorists.

In reality, a mountain called Mount Biru is a hideout for the Santoso- and Daeng Koro-led radical groups. General Moeldoko remarked that the PPRC exercise is being held 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 as their headquarters," he stated.

Earlier, Moeldoko revealed that the TNI did not plan on carrying out military operations in Poso to arrest the terrorists suspected to be hiding in the region. He recently informed newsmen that the joint TNI forces would only conduct combat training in the forest and sea territories of Poso. (WDY)