Police on alert for possible terrorist attacks against U.S., allies interests

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Police said on Saturday that they were anticipating possible terrorist attacks targeting the interests of the United States and its allies in Indonesia in the wake of the war in Iraq.

"We are looking into all possibilities (including possible terrorist attacks)," National Police deputy spokesman Brig. Gen. Edward Aritonang said.

He added that threats of terrorist attacks were among the reasons why the police had declared a state of high alert nationwide after the war in Iraq began.

Separately, another police spokesman, Sr. Comr. Didi Rochyadi, confirmed that the police were monitoring several places across the country, which were suspected of harboring terrorist cells.

"We have received technical guidelines from the National Police chief to monitor locations where acts of terror and violence may take place," Didi told The Jakarta Post.

He refused to disclose the places for intelligence purposes.

Possible outbreaks of violence, including threats of terrorist attacks, have become a major concern of the U.S., British and Australian embassies here. They have issued notices asking their nationals to ensure their safety amid the heightened risks on the heels of the start of the war in Iraq.

In its latest warden notice issued on Saturday, the Australian Embassy advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Surabaya, East Java, citing "credible information that terrorist groups with a history of targeting Westerners and Western interests may be planning terrorist activities on or about March 23 in Surabaya".

Australian citizens were also advised to avoid commercial and public places frequented by foreigners such as clubs, restaurants, bars, other entertainment areas, hotels, schools, outdoor recreation events, tourist areas, places of worship, office buildings, international fast-food outlets, shopping centers, public transportation, including ferries, luxury hotels and their premises, and buildings associated with foreign governments or interests.

Earlier on Friday, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar increased the country's state of alert amid rising concerns of security. But Da'i did not say if the deployment of the police's full force of 250,000 personnel to monitor and uphold security across the country was also linked to the possible threat of terror.

"We don't want people to be overly cautious (with the state of alert). We just want to prevent unscrupulous people from taking advantage of the tension (to instigate violence or riots)," said Da'i.

Recently, police arrested several prime suspects in a string of bomb attacks across the country over the last three years, including the Bali and Makassar blasts.

Police named the suspects by their places of origin, such as the Bandung group, Serang group, Solo group, Lamongan group, Jakarta group, Makassar group, Batam group, Manado group and Bali group.

The police are still searching for several other suspects, including Dulmatin and Jhoni Hendrawan, who are believed to be skilled in assembling bombs.

Didi said police had also beefed up security around the interests of the U.S. and its allies, including residences and centers of business frequently visited by foreigners.

Jakarta, the home to many vital foreign business centers, had earlier declared its state of high alert.

Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara said the city police were deploying its full force of more than 20,000 personnel to uphold security.