Priyatno, Parigi – Indonesia's elite counterterrorism unit has arrested eight suspected militants believed to be linked to a sleeper cell of Mujahidin Indonesia Timur (MIT) in Central Sulawesi, police said on Wednesday.
The arrests were carried out by Densus 88, a special unit under the Indonesian National Police, in coordinated operations across two districts: Parigi Moutong Regency and Poso Regency. Four suspects were detained in each location.
One of the arrests took place in the early hours of Wednesday in Tomoli Utara Village, where a suspect was apprehended at around 1:30 a.m. local time without resistance.
Authorities subsequently searched the suspect's residence and seized several items, including six machetes, mobile phones and an ATM card, according to local officials.
A neighborhood head, Jufri Haruji, said the suspect had been known as a fruit seller and had not raised suspicion among residents.
"He was known to sell fruit daily, so there was nothing unusual that made people suspicious," Jufri said.
The arrests have come as a surprise to local communities, he added, noting that the suspect appeared to lead a normal life.
Security forces conducted a parallel operation in Poso, an area that has long been associated with militant activity. Authorities believe the suspects are part of a dormant MIT network that continues to operate covertly in Central Sulawesi.
All eight suspects have been taken into custody for further interrogation. Police said investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the network and identify possible additional members.
MIT, a pro-Islamic State-linked group, has been responsible for a series of attacks in Indonesia in recent years, particularly in the Poso region, though its capabilities have significantly weakened following sustained counterterrorism operations.