Palu attackers targeted couple, say police chief

Palu attackers targeted couple, say police chief

Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu

Police investigating the shooting on Saturday of a Christian
couple in the Central Sulawesi capital of Palu have found
evidence leading them to suspect the victims were targeted by the
attackers.

Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Oegroseno said on
Sunday the couple had been followed since they left a house of
worship where they had attended a sermon.

Oegroseno said the police had collected evidence from the
crime site, including rounds of ammunition and hoods, which were
used by the attackers to cover their faces.

"The attackers rode a motorbike and shot the couple from
close range," said Oegroseno, whose rank as a policeman was
raised last week.

But he admitted the police had encountered difficulties in
tracing the owner of the Yamaha motorbike as the two assailants
had switched off its light during the attack.

"This is an act of terror, instead of just an ordinary crime.
We will charge the attackers under the antiterrorism law,"
Oegroseno said.

"I believe the attackers are part of a well-organized group
that aims to destabilize the province."

Novlin Pallinggi, 37, and her husband Pudji Laksono, 45, were
the latest victims of violence in the province after previous
attacks in Palu and Poso, some 150 kilometers east of the
provincial capital. They couple were shot on Saturday evening
while riding a motorbike to their house in Bumi Roviega housing
complex.

Pudji is a lecturer at Tadulako University.

Doctors of Undata General Hospital removed a bullet from his
chest on Sunday, but his wife remains in a critical condition.
Doctors have been unable to dislodge two bullets from her chest
and ribs.

Saturday's shooting took place only a day after three teenage
girls were shot by unidentified assailants in Palu. One of them
was killed.

Palu council speaker Andi Mulhanan Tombolotutu condemned the
series of attacks, saying the assailants were targeting other
areas as their efforts in Poso had not led to conflict between
Christians and Muslims.

Andi was referring to the beheadings of three Christian
schoolgirls and the shooting of two girls in Poso prior to and
after Idul Fitri.

The police are investigating the attacks and have arrested
some people, including former soldiers and police officers, in
connection with the cases. None of them have been declared as
suspects so far.

"I hope people in Palu, regardless of their religion, can
stand strong against provocation and together fight terrorism,
which has become our common enemy," Andi said.

Poso was the scene of a bloody conflict between Christians and
Muslims between 2000 and 2001, when sectarian clashes claimed
more than 1,000 lives.