National Police have officially confirmed that a suspected terrorist group behind the suicide bombing attack at Cirebon Police mosque is directly linked to hard-line Islamic group Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid founded by Abu Bakar Bashir.
"Even Muhammad Syarif, the suicide bomber, was a member of JAT in Cirebon. He was directly sworn in by Abu Bakar Bashir together with nine people at Tasikmalaya, West Java," National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Anton Bachrul Alam said at a press conference on Thursday.
"They wanted Shariah law to be implemented here," Anton said.
Police on Thursday announced that they were on the hunt for five fugitives in connection with the attack — identified as Achmad Yosepa Hayat, who is thought to be the next suicide bomber; Beni Asri, who is wanted for sheltering a police fugitive; bomb maker Heru Komaruddin; bomb instructor Nanang Irawan, alias Ndut; and Yadi, alias Hasan.
The police also showed a video recorded by Syarif on his cellphone, showing him assembling with the bomb while delivering his last message. Syarif had said that he would continue to engage in jihad to fight the infidels. Police had recovered the video from Syarif's cellphone, which had been dumped in a nearby river.
Police on Thursday also presented the 10 terror suspects arrested in connection with the April 15 suicide attack.
“We have brought all the suspects here for reporters [to see] before we transfer them to Jakarta for further investigations,” National Police spokesman Chief Comr. Boy Rafli Amar said.
Among the suspects were suicide bomber Muhammad Syarif’s younger brother, Ahmad Basuki, and his colleague, Arif Budiman.
Another suspect, Mushola, is believed to have provided shelter two of the five fugitives and disposed of six pipe bombs in Soka River.
Police said the pipe bombs were intended for at least six similar attacks elsewhere, but that the group disposed of them when police began investigating and arresting their members.
This group is also connected to a terrorist network led by Hery “Sogir” Sigo Samboja.
Sogir was convicted last month for his involvement in a militant network in Aceh and sentenced to eight years in prison.
The network was said to be planning Mumbai-style attacks, as well as simultaneous attacks on several police offices, including the headquarters in Jakarta, on July 1, Police Anniversary Day.
Sogir is thought to have learned how to make bombs from Azahari Husin, the Malaysian bomb-maker who was slain in a police raid on his hideout in Batu, East Java, in November 2005.
(according to the JG)
do 19 mei 2011 - 7:33