Search gets underway for bin Laden in RI

PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): The Banyumas Police have formed a special team to search for Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind behind the terror strikes on the United States, who is reportedly in Indonesia.

A similar search is also being conducted by South Sulawesi Police.

Sr. Comr. Nata Kesuma, the chief of the Banyumas Police, disclosed that the team was established in response to Indian media reports which said bin Laden was in Indonesia in line with the rising influx of illegal immigrants to the country.

He told The Jakarta Post in Purwokerto on Wednesday that in addition to searching for bin Laden's whereabouts, the team was also assigned to guard Afghan refugees currently sheltered on Nusakambangan island.

As earlier reported, the number of Afghan refugees on Nusakambangan fell to 31 as of Saturday from the original total of 134.

Nine were apprehended on the Central Java coast of Cilacap during an escape attempt on Sunday and were returned to Nusakambangan.

The Afghans were washed ashore on Nusakambangan island on Aug. 16 after their vessel was damaged by waves. They were on their to Australia's Christmas Island from Pulau Seribu (Thousand Islands).

Meanwhile, South Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani stated earlier that his men would also be monitoring the possible presence of bin Laden.

"We've heard the news, which is linked to Indonesia's Muslim majority," said Firman, adding that the possibility of bin Laden's presence in the provincial capital of Makassar was slim.

In regard to the safety of U.S. citizens in Makassar, he said no reports of terrorist threats to aliens had been received in the city "but we are anticipating them in spite of the absence of a strong reaction". (45/27)