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Terror in 2011: Major attacks, players and locations

Source
Jakarta Globe - December 26, 2011

A rundown of the key terror attacks, players and attack sites in Indonesia in 2011.

Major attacks:

March 15-17: Four packages containing explosives in the guise of books were found in various locations, from the office of a Liberal Islam Network co-founder to the home of a rock musician. Only one package detonated after an attempt to defuse it by a police officer. Police rounded up the group behind these book bombs a month later.

April 15: Muhammad Syarif, 32, blew himself up during Friday prayers at a police mosque in Cirebon injuring 30, all but two of them policemen. Police recovered six other bombs from a river nearby that Syarif's group planned to use in future attacks. Five suspects were arrested.

May 25: Two police officers guarding a bank in Palu, Central Sulawesi, were gunned down by four assailants and another was wounded. The same group had also planned to attack a Mobile Brigade station. Police made seven arrests and killed two members of the network.

June 13: A number of unidentified gunmen opened fire at a police post in Poso, Central Sulawesi. No one was injured, perpetrators still at large.

June 18: A package containing explosives blew up at a convenience store in Lubuk Linggau, South Sumatra, injuring the store's owner. Two people were arrested and both were found to have prior terror convictions.

June 30: A police officer died after being stabbed repeatedly by a student from the Umar bin Khattab Islamic boarding school in Bima district, West Nusa Tenggara. The 16-year-old also claimed to be member of JAT and believed that police officers were infidels for working for a non-Islamic state.

July 11: A bomb exploded in the same boarding school, killing its treasurer. A tense standoff followed as armed students and teachers prevented the police from entering the school. Fourteen people were named as suspects, including the headmaster.

Sept. 25: Achmad Yosepa Hayat, 20, died after bombs strapped on his body exploded in a church in Solo, Central Java, injuring 20. Hayat was part of the network that planned and carried out the Cirebon bombing in April.

Number of known arrests: at least 108 suspected militants/terrorists. Deaths: 7 terrorists/militants, 3 police officers

Major players:

Umar Patek, 41

Patek and his wife were arrested in January by Pakistani officials while seeking refugee in a civilian's home. Despite his crimes, Patek cannot be charged with the tough anti-terrorism law since it cannot be used retroactively. Patek was instead charged with premeditated murder and immigration violations. He is currently being tried at the East Jakarta District Court.

Pepi Fernando, 32

Pepi faces charges for allegedly attempting to assassinate President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono twice and assembling the book bombs. Pepi and 14 others were arrested in April after the discovery of five massive bombs near a Catholic church outside Jakarta. Currently being tried at the West Jakarta District Court.

Abu Bakar Bashir, 73 Sentenced to 15 years in June for inciting terrorism and funding the radical Islamist group Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid in Aceh that was allegedly planning deadly Mumbai-style terrorist attacks on Westerners and politicians. Bashir's sentence was reduced to nine years in October after an appeal to the Jakarta High Court and he has filed another appeal in the hope of an acquittal.Abu Tholut, 51

Sentenced to eight years in October. Tholut became one of Indonesia's most-wanted fugitives after master bomb-makers Noordin Top and Dulmatin were killed in police raids last year. He also helped establish a jihadist camp for "Tanzim Al Qaeda in Aceh", which plotted attacks on foreigners and assassinations of moderate Muslim leaders.

Sites of attacks:

  • Jakarta: 4 bombs found in March.
  • Serpong, Banten: 1 bomb found in March.
  • Cirebon, West Java: 1 killed and 2 bombs found in suicide attack in April, 8 more bombs found in November.
  • Bima, West Nusa Tenggara: 2 killed and 12 bombs found in July.
  • Solo, Central Java: 1 killed in suicide attack in September.
  • Ambon, Maluku: 4 bombs found in September.
  • Palu, Central Sulawesi: 2 police gunned down in May.
  • Poso, Central Sulawesi: Police stationed attacked in June, 1 bomb found in December.
  • Lubuk Linggau, South Sumatra: 1 bomb exploded injuring one in June.
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