ANTARA, Jan 03 2006 16:17
Palu Bombing Related to Noordin M Top Terror Network
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Last Saturday`s bombing incident near a meat kiosk n
Palu, Central Sulawesi, is linked to the terrorist group led by Noordin M Top, a
security official said here Tuesday.
Demak Lubis, head of the Poso desk at the office of the coordinating minister for
political, legal and security affairs, said according to intelligence information collected
by the desk there was a relationship between the bombing`s perpetrators and the
Noorin M Top-led terror group.
"The Palu bombers are old players who also committed terrorist acts at the Poso and
Tentena traditional markets some time ago," he said.
At least seven people were killed and 50 others injured when a home-made bomb
exploded at the meat kiosk last Saturday amid tight scurity precautions for New
Year`s Eve.
"These old players have an indirect relationship with the Noordin M Top-led terrorist
group," he added.
Asked about the identity of the group, Demak said the secutiy agencies could not yet
disclose it legally.
"From intelligence data we have gathered, we already know the identity of the group
but because of legal considerations we cannot yet reveal it," he said.
He further said especially after the establishment of a security restoation task force in
Poso, both the security agencies and the intelligence community had already
predicted the possible occurrence of terror acts outside Poso.
"For this reason, we have carried out additional operations in Palu but they always are
smarter and act fast." he added.
He said the government would soon form a Security Restoration Operation Command
(Koopslihkan) whose activities would cover all of Central Sulawesi province.
"The command will be based in Palu to restore security in the city and surrounding
area," he added.
The command would be led by a ranking police officer who would have two military
officers as his depuities, he said. The command would further consist of regional
officials and endeavor the solution of the terror cases in the region thoroughly and
comprehensively.
Asked about the relationship between the command and the Poso desk at the
ministry, Demak said the Poso desk would be expanded into a Poso and Palu Desk
and determine the policies to be applied in the solution of security cases happening in
Central Sulawesu through the task force.
Asked when the command would be set up, he said as soon as possible. "It may be
in the next one or two days, before Ied Qurban (Day of Sacrifice). We want to solve
the Palu bombing case as soon as possible," he said.(*)
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