by Mathias Hariyadi

The suspects planned to target the most important commercial center in Southeast Asia. The shout out lasted several hours, before a final raid. Guns and heavy weapons found inside the homes. To finance their struggle, the Islamists had carried out several robberies in the last year netting millions.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) Seven suspected terrorists were killed in three different raids carried out by special anti-terrorism squad in the last 24 hours, in the context of an Indonesian security forces maxi-operation against domestic Islamist and extremist fringes. According to initial reports the group was plotting a devastating attack on the most important commercial center of the country (and the whole of the South-East Asia), the-Harco Glodok in Jakarta Kota. If successful, it would have wreaked a huge toll not only in lives, but also and especially for the nation's economy as the area is one of the most important destinations for business and circulation of cash, as well as ensuring many jobs.

The anti-terrorism blitz took place in the town of Bandung, capital of West Java province, and the Kebumen and Batang districts in the province of Central Java. The suspects died in a shout out that  lasted at least five hours, the police decided to end the assault, because the guerrillas holed up in the houses - rented - were not willing to surrender. Inside guns and other heavy weapons were found, confirming that the groups were preparing massive attacks.

Among the extremist cells' objectives was South-East Asia's largest and most important shopping center for electronic equipment, in the area known by the nickname-Harco Glodok. The attack would have had devastating consequences for economic reasons: thousands of ethnic Chinese Indonesians also operate in the area, who have set up businesses and shops, not only in the electronics industry. The area is also famous for its nightlife and restaurants and so crowded at any time of day or night.

Boy Rafli Amar, deputy police spokesman, also reports that the bands in the past carried out several bank robberies, to raise the money needed to fund the extremist fight. And during their robberies had no qualms in killing anyone who was a hindrance to their plans, netting more than a trillion rupees in the past year (over one hundred million dollars).

Among the leaders there was also Abu Roban, alias Untung, alias Bambang Nangka, active in the province of Central Sulawesi and well-known face to the intelligence unit given his ties with Philippine terrorist Abu Omar.

 

• indonesia
• terrorism
• plot
• secuirty
• sqaurd
• islamic
• extremism