Police say Indonesia's most wanted terror fugitive Santoso had attempted to purchase firearms from the Abu Sayyaf militant group, based in the Southern Philippines, despite being cornered by a 2,000-strong police and military force in a jungle in Poso, Central Sulawesi.
“Santoso wanted to buy weapons. We arrested his courier in Bitung [North Sulawesi] on his way to the Philippines. According to the communication we intercepted, the firearms purchase is connected [to Abu Sayyaf],” National Police Chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti said in Jakarta on Tuesday (24/05).
The authorities estimated only 22 or 23 terrorists are staying with Santoso, the leader of their East Indonesia Mujahidin group, in their hideout in Poso.
According to Badrodin, the Santoso group—who counts several Chinese Uighurs as its members—reportedly possess M16 and SS1 assault rifles, some of which are thought to have come from the Southern Philippines.
Santoso's current hideout is thought to be within a 60 square-kilometer area, which has been the target of the police and military's Operation Tinombala since the beginning of the year.
Badrodin earlier also confirmed a plan to rotate the police's mobile brigade personnel currently in the field.
Santoso's current hideout is thought to be within a 60 square-kilometer area, which has been the target of the police and military's Operation Tinombala since the beginning of the year.
Badrodin earlier also confirmed a plan to rotate the police's mobile brigade personnel currently in the field.
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/terror-fugitive-santoso-attempts-buy-weapons-abu-sayyaf/
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