Jakarta – Indonesian security forces seized more than 1,000 sticks of explosives from an inter-island ferry as it arrived in the riot-torn North Maluku island of Ternate. The explosives were found in the state-owned KM Ciremai ferry which arrived from Bitung in north Sulawesi on Saturday, said the Antara news agency.

North Maluku head commander Lt-Colonel Sukarwo said security forces also found 14 standard-issue army bullets as well as 660 machetes and knives. The find came after Thursday's discovery in the Mangga Dua neighbourhood of Ternate city of 318 arrows, 17 homemade bazookas, and 43 machetes and knives, he said.

Security forces would conduct a house-to-house search for more weapons. Lt-Col Sukarwo urged the local people to immediately hand over any weapons and firearms in their possession.

A state of emergency in North Maluku and Maluku province was declared last month in a bid to halt more than 18 months of sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians.