Densus 88 Seizes 13 Pieces of Evidence from Suspected JAD Terrorist's Home in Tasikmalaya
The Detachment 88 (Densus 88) anti-terror unit of the Indonesian National Police conducted a search of a rented house belonging to a suspected terrorist of the Jamaat Ansharut Daulah (JAD) network, identified by the initials AAS, 28, in Gunung Koneng, Cilembang Village, Cihideung District, Tasikmalaya City, West Java. During the operation, officers seized at least 13 pieces of evidence.
The head of the local neighbourhood unit, Ade Mumu, confirmed that the seized items included jihadist books, a dagger, an air rifle, a bow and arrow, cables, and a detonator. According to Ade, AAS had only been living in the rented house for two months while waiting for the construction of his own home to be completed.
"The suspect AAS was known as a private person and rarely communicated with residents, which was very different from his wife," Ade Mumu said on Monday.
Based on information from a local community empowerment official, Aef Arifin, AAS is a former terrorism convict from the JAD network. Although AAS had previously been categorised as clean by the National Counterterrorism Agency and had been reintegrating into society as a small trader for three years, he was rearrested along with two other individuals in the Dadaha Complex, Tawang District.
The Tasikmalaya City Police Chief, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Andi Purwanto, explained that the case began with a report of a dispute between traders at the Dadaha Regional Technical Implementation Unit. The altercation occurred between a corn seller, identified as S, and a tofu seller, identified as E, who was suspected of being intoxicated. The situation escalated when AAS, an iced tea seller and relative of S, arrived and scolded E. As residents attempted to break up the fight, a loud explosion was suddenly heard from behind, causing panic among visitors and traders at the scene.
"The joint team has processed the crime scene to investigate the brawl and arrested three perpetrators, including AAS. The situation is now under control and the case is being handled by the police," Andi Purwanto concluded.