BNPT Will Focus On Handling Of Terrorism In Poso

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The National Counter-terrorism Agency (BNPT) will focus on handling terrorism in Poso, Central Sulawesi.

"I will focus on a short-term plan to handle terrorism in Poso, Central Sulawesi," BNPT chief M Tito Karnavian remarked here on Wednesday.

The new head of the BNPT said the police and the military are jointly conducting the Tinombala operation to capture the terrorist leader, Santoso, hiding in the mountainous regions of Poso.

"The Tinombala operation is being conducted by the police, with the support of the military," he said.

Karnavian said the government should fully back the operation, which is expected to cut off logistics supplies and information to Santoso's group.

"A variety of approaches should be there, including a focus on economic and employment issues, to resolve the problem," he said.

As for the foreigners, he stated that seven people from China had joined Santoso's group.

"Of these, three were detained," he affirmed.

Meanwhile, Central Sulawesi Police Chief, Brigadier General Rudy Sufahriadi, believed that Tito would help arrest Santoso and his followers.

Sufahriadi hoped the new chief of BNPT will be able to visit Poso soon.

"Currently, there are two important issues related to counter-terrorism in Poso. Firstly, the government should arrest Santoso and his followers, and secondly, it should strengthen the de-radicalization programs," he said.

Earlier, the Chief of the Indonesian Military Commander, General TNI Gatot Nurmantyo, stated here on Friday that he would not impose a military emergency status on Poso district.

"It is impossible that Poso will be declared a military emergency zone," he said, referring to the elusive leader of the East Indonesia Mujahidin terrorist network, Santoso.

He said joint TNI-Police operations, code-named Tinombala, would be led by the police.

"The TNI and the police are conducting the joint operation with one goal -- arresting Santoso and his men. The police will continue to lead the operations," he said.

So far, the police have conducted "Camar Maleo I to IV" operations to arrest Santoso and his gang but in vain.

After the Camar Maleo operations came to an end, the police continued to hunt for the notorious terrorist in cooperation with the TNI through the Tinombala Operation, which began on January 10.(WDY)