The Age, November 11, 2005
Azahari's deadly arsenal
[PHOTO: Investigators collect evidence from the house in which Azahari died. Photo:
AP.]
By Mark Forbes, Batu, Java
BALI terror mastermind Azahari Husin had constructed 30 bombs for a new wave of
attacks before he was killed during a dramatic police raid on his central Java hide-out.
Indonesian police said the bombs were found inside the house where Azahari and
another suspected Jemaah Islamiah terrorist died in a fierce gun battle on
Wednesday.
During the clash in the mountain retreat town of Batu, the terrorists threw up to 11
bombs at police before detonating three large explosions in an apparent suicide
attempt. One policeman was wounded.
Australian Federal Police supported the Indonesian operation and forensic and
explosives experts were at the site last night to confirm Azahari's identity and inspect
the seized bombs.
Several explosive vests, similar to those used in this year's October 1 Bali bombings,
were reportedly found.
Indonesian Police Chief General Sutanto said Azahari had tried to blow himself up
with explosives strapped to his body, but was killed by police gunfire. "He wanted to
pull the trigger but hasn't had the chance to do it," General Sutanto said.
Fingerprint records had confirmed Azahari's identity, he said.
The other fatality, named only as Arman, had detonated a suicide bomb strapped to
his body.
It also emerged yesterday that Noordin Top — Azahari's partner in planning the two
Bali bombings, last year's attack on the Australian embassy and the Marriott Hotel
bombing — may have narrowly escaped a police raid in the Javanese town of
Semarang.
Azahari and Noordin were Asia's most wanted terrorists and have been on the run
since planning the 2002 Bali bombing, in which 202 people, including 88 Australians,
were killed.
A third man was captured after the gun battle in Batu and other members of suicide
bombing cells formed by Noordin and Azahari were arrested in Semarang.
The operation represents a major breakthrough in the fight against regional terrorism,
and comes as Indonesian police claim to have finally identified two of the three suicide
bombers who carried out the October 1 attacks in Bali.
A courier carrying messages between Azahari and Noordin was arrested in Semarang
on Wednesday morning. He pinpointed Azahari's location, prompting the raids.
Azahari had occupied the house at 7 Flamboyan Street for several months. It appears
to have been used as a bomb-making factory for a planned new wave of attacks, with
Jakarta the likely target.
General Sutanto said the 30 bombs found in the house were "primed to explode".
He said the courier detained in Semarang on Wednesday told police Azahari would be
at the house in Batu. The man had taken bombs and ammunition to Semarang from
Batu, General Sutanto said.
Two other men were arrested in Semarang, one of whom said Azahari had taught him
bomb construction.
When police raided a Semarang house where Noordin was believed to be hiding he
was not there.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty said he was satisfied Azahari
had been killed.
He said the identification of one of the Bali suicide bombers had led Indonesian and
Australian police to focus their hunt on central Java. "That led the joint tracking team,
the terrorist tracking team that we've had with the Indonesian national police and the
AFP, into the region over the last couple of days," he said.
"Some more precise information came through the day before yesterday and we've
been working on that with the Indonesians since then."
Mr Keelty said Azahari's death would hobble Jemaah Islamiah's operations. "It will
not, of course, bring back any of the lives of the people who were killed or in many
ways provide to them any sort of justice," he said.
"But it will make a big dent in the operations of the radical terrorist groups in
Indonesia."
Australian police had a "forward team" in the area during yesterday's operation, but Mr
Keelty would give no details.
Prime Minister John Howard said the death of Azahari would be a "huge advance" in
the battle against terrorism. But he emphasised it would not cripple JI. "We're going to
be embroiled in this struggle for years into the future," Mr Howard said.
He said the courier detained in Semarang on Wednesday told police Azahari would be
at the house in Batu. The man had taken bombs and ammunition to Semarang from
Batu, General Sutanto said.
Two other men were arrested in Semarang, one of whom said Azahari had taught him
bomb construction.
When police raided a Semarang house where Noordin was believed to be hiding he
was not there.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty said he was satisfied Azahari
had been killed.
He said the identification of one of the Bali suicide bombers had led Indonesian and
Australian police to focus their hunt on central Java. "That led the joint tracking team,
the terrorist tracking team that we've had with the Indonesian national police and the
AFP, into the region over the last couple of days," he said.
"Some more precise information came through the day before yesterday and we've
been working on that with the Indonesians since then."
Mr Keelty said Azahari's death would hobble Jemaah Islamiah's operations. "It will
not, of course, bring back any of the lives of the people who were killed or in many
ways provide to them any sort of justice," he said.
"But it will make a big dent in the operations of the radical terrorist groups in
Indonesia."
Australian police had a "forward team" in the area during yesterday's operation, but Mr
Keelty would give no details.
Prime Minister John Howard said the death of Azahari would be a "huge advance" in
the battle against terrorism. But he emphasised it would not cripple JI. "We're going to
be embroiled in this struggle for years into the future," Mr Howard said.
Copyright © 2004. The Age Company Ltd.
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