Four killed as troops clash with militants in Maluku

AMBON, Maluku (JP): At least four people were killed and 18 others wounded in clashes between security forces and militant groups in Ternate, North Maluku, late on Wednesday, officials said.

Maluku Military Commander Brig. Gen. Max Tamaela said here on Thursday the violence erupted on Wednesday night in Ternate when soldiers tried to block members of the militant "Jihad Force" from traveling to neighboring Halmahera Island.

Halmahera is the scene of some of the worst sectarian clashes in Maluku, and more than 1,000 people have been killed on the island this year.

It is still unclear if the group is associated with another militant Muslim group in Jakarta who last month said they would send volunteers to Maluku to wage a holy war against Christians and have setup a training camp in Bogor, West Java.

The Laskar Jihad in Jakarta drew public criticism last month for carrying arms and weapons during public protests against the government's apparent slowness in settling the Maluku conflict, which has dragged on for over than a year and left more than 3,000 killed.

The authorities have said they will do their utmost to prevent the Jihad Forces from leaving for the Malukus.

Tamaela also said that the curfew in Ambon, which had been the center of clashes between Muslims and Christians in Maluku, will be moved from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. due to improved security. (48/49/edt)