Arya Dipa, Bandung, West Java – Personnel of the National Police's Densus 88 counterterrorism squad shot dead on Friday a suspected terrorist who allegedly resisted arrest under the Jl. E. Tirtapraja overpass in Pamanukan, Subang regency, West Java.
West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Agung Budi Maryoto said the police had to shoot the suspected terrorist as he attempted to resist arrest. "He brought a backpack suspected to contain a bomb, including its switch," said Agung, before he attended the West Java gubernatorial candidate debate at Sudirman Grand Ballroom in Bandung, West Java, on Friday evening.
He said the police were investigating further terror attack plans that were allegedly going to be conducted by the suspected terrorist, identified only as M, his initial.
When he was asked on whether the terror plans were aimed at disrupting the simultaneous regional head elections slated for June 27, Agung said: "We are still investigating such a possibility."
Agung said the police had obtained identities and other information related to the man. He said the police had been tracing him since he first moved from his home in Indramayu, West Java. "He is from Haurgeulis-branch Jamaah Ansharut Daulah [JAD]," said Agung, referring to a local affiliate of the Islamic State [IS] terror group.
He said the police had taken the suspected terrorist's body to Jakarta, including evidence confiscated during the raid. Agung said the police and Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel would carry out joint patrols in areas across Indonesia to ensure the simultaneous regional elections run safely and smoothly. (ebf)