Police Discover 12 Suspected Pipe Bombs in Poso

The Jakarta Globe, February 01, 2013,


Police in Central Sulawesi managed to defuse 12 suspected pipe bombs they discovered in a plantation in the restive district of Poso on Friday morning.

The 12 objects, which were in the form of pipes between 10 to 15 centimeters long, were uncovered at around 9 a.m and were immediately defused by the Gegana bomb squad from the police mobile brigade unit, known as Brimob, of Central Sulawesi, according to Sr. Comr. Agus Rianto, the head of the National Police general information department,

“I have not yet obtained further information on the contents of those bombs and whether they are related to the terrorrist network currently operating in Poso," Agus said, adding that the bombs were found at the Gunung Moengko Lama plantation in the Moengko Lama ward of the Poso district.

Police have strengthened security in Poso since late last year after two police officers investigating a camp were found with their throats slit.

Police are still hunting down several wanted terrorist suspects believed to be in Poso, which is known as a terrorist hotbed, including Santoso, who is also known as Abu Warda, and bomb expert Taupik Bulaga.

They are both suspected of involvement in a series of terror cases in Poso, including the slaughter of the two police officers, the shooting of police officers in a bank heist and several bomb plots.

Santoso, who is believed to have been involved in a series of terrorism activities in the country, is the No. 1 most wanted suspect for the National Police's counter terrorism squad, Densus 88.

Residents find 12 makeshift bombs in Poso'

The Jakarta Post, Palu Sat, February 02 2013,


Residents of Moengko Lama subdistrict in Poso, Central Sulawesi, say that they found 12 piped-shaped improvised explosive devices on the side of the road on Friday morning.

Central Sulawesi Police spokesman Adj. Comr. Winarto told reporters that the makeshift bombs were found by local residents at about 9:30 a.m. local time (8:30 a.m. Jakarta time).

“Four of the bombs were ready to be detonated, but were defused at about 12:30 p.m. by the Gegana bomb disposal squad of Central Sulawesi Mobile Brigade,” he said.

Winarto added that the bombs were then transported to provincial police headquarters to be dismantled.

Gegana officers found that the 12 bombs contained of an explosive crafted from urea nitrate powder, 72 2-inch nails, 40 5-inch nails, 48 homemade detonators and hundreds of ball bearings.

“The police are still investigating who deliberately placed the bombs. We have questioned several witnesses,” Winarto said.

He added that the police were tightening security in Poso regency to anticipate security disturbances.

The authorities are continuing an operation in search of 22 people wanted for acts of violence in Poso