In a gun battle with security forces, Indonesian security forces have killed the leader of militant group East Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT), which has ties with the Islamic State, Indonesian security forces said on Sunday.
A joint operation by military and police personnel killed Ali Kalora in a shootout at a village on Sulawesi island on Saturday afternoon, according to a police statement.
“Ali Kalora was the most wanted terrorist and leader of MIT,” Makruf said while referring to the East Indonesia Mujahideen militant group, which claims allegiance to IS.
Another militant, identified as Jaka Ramadhan, also known as Ikrima, was also shot dead, police said, adding that a hunt was underway for four other MIT members.
Several pictures shared by authorities at a news conference on Sunday showed an M16 rifle and backpacks laid near their bloodied bodies. The Central Sulawesi Police Chief Rudy Sufahriadi told media outlets that security forces also seized two ready-to-use bombs from their backpacks, which also contained food and camping tools.
“We urged the other four wanted terrorists to immediately surrender and dare to take responsibility for their actions before the law,” said Sufahriadi, referring to remaining members of the East Indonesia Mujahideen who are still at large in the jungle on Sulawesi island.
Two months ago, security forces killed two suspected members in a raid in the same mountainous district.
The security forces are searching for the four remaining members of the group.
For several killings of police officers and Christians, the East Indonesia Mujahideen has claimed responsibility.
In Central Sulawesi, security operations have been intensified over recent months to capture members of the network. The group had pledged allegiance to IS in 2014.
(With inputs from agencies)
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