Six Pakistanis suspected as terrorists in Manado
Six Pakistanis suspected as terrorists in Manado
MANADO, North Sulawesi: Six Pakistanis, who did not report their
presence and activities after staying for 39 days in several
areas here, were suspected by local people as members of an
international terrorism.
A police officer said that the Pakistanis, who are
proselytizing Islamic values in the city, arrived in the city on
July 27, but just reported their presence to the police and other
authority here on Sept. 4.
But the police, who had been investigating activities of the
six foreigners, said they hold valid documents and they are not
members of any terrorist groups.
The six Pakistanis include Bechran Malack, Iltaf Hussain,
Inayat Kuan, Abdul Saman, Lahid Mahmoed and Jan Badashak. Their
activities were reportedly sponsored by Mosque activists in Kebon
Jeruk, West Jakarta.
"Knowing that there are a number of Pakistani in Manado, we
conducted investigation. The result of the investigation is that
they have valid documents to stay in this region," Manado Police
chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Yohanes Wardoyo told The Jakarta Post on
Wednesday.
People becomes more sensitive after an attack against
Washington and New York by terrorists killing over 6,000 people
as some analysts and police officers said that international
terrorists have presented in this country.
According to Yohanes, before visiting Manado, the six
Pakistanis also visited North Sulawesi's town of Bitung.
He confirmed that their visit is aimed at proselytizing Islam
at mosques and houses in Manado and Bitung.
"Their activity is clear and all of them have reported their
presence to the North Sulawesi Police. They plan to leave for
Gorontalo province today (Wednesday)."
Head of Malalayang sub-district Jopie Gontung also said that
the six Pakistanis had stayed in his territory for five days
without reporting their presence to the authority.
"Although their coming here is for religious activity, as
foreigners, they should report their presence to the authority as
they stayed over 24 hours. It is a regulation, not my personal
wish," said Jopie, who just knew the presence of the foreigners
after they leave the subdistrict.
Based on information from Malalayang people, the Pakistani
used to stay at the Azzidin Mosque in the subdistrict, but they
moved after a few days there.
"Maybe, they moved to Kampung Arab near Tuminting. It is
difficult to monitor them as they always from one place to other
places and always conducted their activity in mosques," said
Dolpi, a young man from Malalayang, Manado. (48/02)