Poso military confiscate bombs

Erik W, The Jakarta Post, Palu

In a series of raids for weapons in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, the military confiscated three mortar shells, 10 bombs and dozens of arrows, rifles and handguns.

The raids took place after a bomb exploded in the office of the social welfare agency in Poso on Sunday night. The bombing caused extensive damage to the building, but there were no casualties.

The head of the military operation, First Lt. Prabowo, said the raids were conducted in Bonesompe and Poso Pesisir, two subdistricts of Poso regency.

He said the mortar shells were handed over by Misnawati, 40, a teacher at a state junior high school in Poso.

He said that when his men went to Misnawati's home in Bonesompe subdistrict, she immediately handed over the mortar shells.

"We also found 10 bombs and arrows in several houses in the subdistrict," he said.

After the searches in Bonesompe, the operation moved to Patiwunga village in Poso Pesisir subdistrict, where many residents are believed to have stockpiled weapons during the religious conflict in the area.

In Poso Pesisir, Prabowo said, they found dozens of rifles and handguns.

Central Sulawesi Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Sugianto said security in Poso was improving despite the bomb explosion in the social welfare agency building.

"Poso residents are a bit worried, but they can safely travel around in the area," he said.

Asked whether the police had identified those responsible for Sunday night's bombing, he said they were still investigating the case.

The bomb explosion was the first incident since the Muslim and Christian combatants in the area signed the Malino peace agreement, which was mediated by the central government, in February in Malino, South Sulawesi.