Masariku Network, 04 December 2003
Worshippers slain by Terrorists during Church Service
Poso, Joko Harmono, Nov 30 2003
Tonight, as the congregation in Tabamawo, 120 km (70 miles) east of Poso, sat
attentively, taking in the sermon being delivered by their pastor's wife, Sandra
Tengker, two gunmen arrived on motorcycles, coming to the Church door and
delivered their fatal shots.
It was 7.30 pm and the service was nearing its end. The Christians had spent a time
in prayer praying for the Indonesian Government and for peace in the land when the
terrorists broke in. Ruslam (32) and Arifin (28) were slain being shot several times
each in front of the congregation and their families, leaving their young wives and
children in shock. Moda (37) is still fighting for his life and has been transported to the
Ampana District Hospital. Moda was shot through the face and in the back and even if
he survives will need much intensive care. Two others were wounded and survived,
Sandra Tengker, the pastor's wife and Yulmin (23).
Another terrorist attack occurred just fifteen minutes earlier at 7.15 pm, 175 km (110
miles) away to the west, on the other side of Poso, reports Ferdinand Saerang of
Poso Watch. "Kilo Trans a majority Christian village consisting of Balinese Christians
and Balinese Hindus was attacked during evening prayers at the local church by 20
well-armed and well-trained gunmen shooting wildly into the houses," he said. It was a
miracle that there were not more deaths and injuries. The community was spared the
bullets ripping through their homes as they were in church praying.
Two Balinese Hindu men were caught up in the panic of the attack. Mr. I Made
Simson aged 27, died instantly, and Mr. I Ketut Sarman (Village Chief) aged 43 died
on route to the Poso Hospital. Several others were wounded and then the terrorists
disappeared into the night.
The Jakarta English daily, Jakarta Post reporter, Irvan NR, reports that, "Attacks on
villagers resumed in October of this year, initiated by a group of masked gunmen,
claiming 10 lives. Police reinforcements were dispatched to Poso, but the violence
has not subsided," he said.
All the attacked villages are Christian majority villages and this is not a communal
conflict. It is a one-side organized massacre of innocent people carried out in the
name of Allah by violent hate-charged Islamic extremists trying to extend the authority
and wealth of their religion. Such bigoted violent terrorism must not be allowed to
continue. It is a disease that must be exterminated.
Received from malukuwashdc via MASARIKU NETWORK
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