Alleged bomb makers nailed in East Aceh
Alleged bomb makers nailed in East Aceh
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): East Aceh Police precinct have arrested
seven alleged bomb makers in a recent raid at a welding workshop
in Payabili village, an officer said on Thursday.
Police Special Operation Cinta Meunasah deputy chief Supt.
Yatim Suyatmo said the arrests were made on Tuesday during a
crackdown at the workshop apparently used for making bombs.
The seven, identified as the station's owner Suryadi and
employees -- Syamsul Bahri, Warimin bin Waris, Suwardi bin
Sugiatno, Suhaimi, Legi bin Barien and Syawaluddin bin Arianto --
are currently being detained at the police station for further
questioning.
"We'll investigate their roles in the bomb production. But one
thing for sure is that they have violated the laws," Suyatmo said
as quoted by Antara.
He did not specify the laws he was referring to.
At the welding workshop, the police had found several articles
such as steel bars, a Handie-Talkie antenna, two grinders and two
metal shells supposedly to be filled with explosive powder.
"We will investigate further to uncover their suppliers and
buyers as homemade bombs had been used in various attacks on
government's facilities and security personnel," Suyatmo said.
In a related development, Pidie Police precinct chief Ass.
Supt. Heru Budi Ersanto said on Wednesday that joint security
forces raided on Tuesday the headquarters of the Free Aceh
Movement (GAM) in Cot Baroh village, Glumpang Tiga district in
Pidie regency.
The officer said the raid triggered a gunfight that killed ten
people including two separatist rebels, one of them was later
identified as GAM deputy commander of Tiro district Tengku Yahya,
60, who was also an advisor to GAM commander Tengku Abdullah
Syafiie.
Antara reported that apart from the fatalities, there were at
least 21 residents who are missing. Many believe they have died.
Heru said the raid by the 70 police personnel was aimed at
locating the three missing police officers allegedly kidnapped by
GAM rebels.
"And we have learned from residents that the missing officers
are being held hostage at the GAM headquarters in Cot Baroh
village," he said. (50/lup)