Three dead in terrorist shootout

Three dead in terrorist shootout

The Jakarta Post, 1 September 2012

The Densus 88 counterterrorism unit has shot dead two alleged terrorists, but one of their number has also been killed during a shootout in Surakarta, Central Java, late on Friday.

“National Police chief [Gen. Timur Pradopo] has just reported to the President on the shootout with this alleged group of terrorists. They were believed to be the perpetrators of the attacks on Aug. 17, 18 and 30,” presidential spokesman Julian Pasha said in Jakarta.

He added the incident took place near a minimarket in Ngruki, on the border of Surakarta municipality and Sukoharjo regency.

Second Brig. Suherman was the Densus 88 officer killed in the shootout.

“The president has ordered the National Police chief to go to the crime scene first thing in the morning and then directly report to the president,” Julian said.

Police have come under attack for the third time in two weeks in Surakarta. The latest attack on a police post at the town’s Singosaren junction claimed the life of chief Brig. Dwi Data Subekti, 54, who was shot dead at around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Central Java Police chief Ir. Gen. Didiek Sutomo Triwidodo said that the four bullets that killed Dwi had the same specification as those that injured policemen at Gemblegan police post two weeks ago.

Despite the recent attacks, Didiek said Surakarta remained safe.

“We don’t have to be afraid of these terrorists,” he said.

In an earlier press conference, Julian quoted President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as saying that the National Police could ask for assistance from other law enforcement agencies or the Indonesian Military (TNI).

“If the police need any help, such as from the TNI, they, including the police intelligence unit, can work together more intensely to prevent such attacks in Surakarta from recurring,” Julian said.

He added that the police had not made any connection between the violence and Surakarta Mayor Joko Widodo’s bid to run for the second leg of the Jakarta gubernatorial election, which is scheduled for a runoff on Sept. 20.

Police in Surakarta were also attacked on Aug. 17, during the celebration of the country’s Independence Day, when a gunman on a motorcycle shot at two officers. They were wounded but no fatalities reported.

Two days later, an unknown assailant tossed a hand grenade at officers on guard at Gladak police post. The grenade exploded without causing injuries.

Mayor Joko Widodo, more colloquially known as “Jokowi”, said that the motives behind the shootings remained unclear.

“We will wait for the investigation. Please give the police time to investigate so that the cases can be resolved clearly,” he said at Surakarta City Hall.

The mayor, who on Friday paid his last respects to the murdered officer Dwi, added that he had never encountered such incidents during his seven years as the city’s chief.

“I’m surprised by these incidents. Frankly, I really don’t know the motive behind them,” he said.

Jokowi assured the public that the situation had returned to normal. “I have taken a look around the city in the morning and it’s business as usual in most business districts.”

He encouraged citizens to carry out patrols in their neighborhoods.

Link: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/09/01/three-dead-terrorist-shootout.html