Indonesia arrests 12 over suspected terrorism links in six provinces

Twelve people suspected of links to networks affiliated with Daulah Islamiyah and other terrorist networks have been arrested in separate operations across six provinces in Indonesia.

National Police counter-terrorism unit Special Detachment 88 (Densus 88) spokesperson Mayndra Eka Wardhana said the suspects, aged between 22 and 52, were arrested in West Java, Central Java, Central Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Riau and North Maluku in operations carried out since Oct 2.

He said preliminary investigations found links among the suspects despite their activities spanning different regions, including indications of indoctrination, network consolidation and other activities.

“One of the patterns uncovered involved online meetings that virtually connected a number of Daulah Islamiyah supporters from several regions,” he said in a statement.

Mayndra said investigators also found suspected training activities involving some of the detainees, including physical and shooting exercises, as well as other training linked to terrorist militancy.

He said investigations were continuing, with police examining seized evidence and the possible links of each suspect to other individuals or networks.

He added that the arrests were part of early detection and prevention efforts against potential terrorist acts by disrupting activities such as network consolidation, propaganda, recruitment and training that could lead to violence.