Bali, special forces kill five suspected terrorists
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - The special police force Densus-88 killed five suspected terrorists in a shoot-out that took place yesterday in two different areas of Denpasar, the capital of the Indonesian province of Bali, a popular destination for international tourism and the scene of a bloody attack in 2002 that caused over 200 deaths. The raid occurred on the evening of March 18 in two apartments rented by extremists in the city center. Initial information from the investigators says that the group had planned a series of attacks on ATMs in the city, to collect enough money to fund future terrorist "projects" on the island. Firearms and ammunition were also seized.
Local sources revealed that among the goals envisioned by the killed terrorists
- some of which are "high" profile - was a popular cafe in downtown Denpasar,
that was to be targeted with a devastating bomb attack. However, when the
police have not confirmed this news that is circulating the media, perhaps to
avoid creating alarmism among tourists, the main economic resource of the
island.
The people still remember the massacre in Bali in September 2002 by the
Jemaah Islamiyah - local cell of al Qaeda - which killed 240 people and injured
another 240. Many foreigners died in the
attack, in particular from Australia. A second serious accident occurred in
October 2005, when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a cafe in Denpasar.
The five terrorists, whose identities are not yet known, are reportedly
affiliated with Jemaah Islamiyah, as confirmed by the national police
spokesperson, Saud Usman Nasution. Since last month upon arrival in Bali - the
special team had been monitoring their movements and had collected information
on several possible future attack.
Intelligence sources interviewed by AsiaNews explained that
the five terrorists were to strike on 23 March, coinciding with the Hindu new
year of Saka, amid the confusion created by the celebrations. However, this
claim has not received official confirmation.
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