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)