Indonesian police arrests seven suspects in relation to parcel bomb attacks

[News_Editor]

Indonesian police arrests seven suspects in relation to parcel bomb attacks

2011-04-28 23:49:58 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- Indonesia's National Police on Thursday arrested seven people suspected of being members of the Pepi Fernando-led terror network in Aceh, alleged responsible for the series of parcel bomb attacks.

According to the Antara news agency, the detentions were made by the police's Special Detachment 88 anti-terror squad in Gurah Peukah, Aceh province. They were charged with possession of explosive devices and materials.

The seven detainees were located as part of the National Police's investigation on the Pepi Fernando and Fadil terror network. During the operation, 15 kilograms of sulfur, a tent, a parachute, various steel pieces and materials for detonators were seized.

The Pepi Fernando terror network was found responsible for the series of parcel bomb attacks in Indonesia, mainly in the capital Jakarta. On Monday, twelve terrorist suspects were arrested for their links to the attacks.

In recent weeks, Indonesian police have launched a strong operation against the terrorists behind the parcel bombings. Last week, several suspects were detained after police removed an explosive from a pipeline in a bomb attempt against a Catholic Church in Tangerang.

On March 15, a bomb parcel exploded in Utan Kayu, East Jakarta. The explosive device was sent to the local KBR 68H Radio News Agency and was addressed to the agency's chief Gories Mere. A policeman lost his hand while trying to defuse it.

Another explosive package was located at the National Narcotics Agency office in Jakarta. A police bomb squad managed to deactivate it before it exploded. The attacks were perpetrated using hollowed out books to hide the explosives.

A third one was sent to Ulil Abshar Abdalla, chairman of the Liberal Islam Network, in Utan Kayu. The device exploded while policemen were trying to defuse it; three police officers were severely injured.

Music mogul Ahmad Dhan was the next target as a book concealing an explosive device was sent to his Pondok Indah residence in south Jakarta. Additional similar incidents were reported in the next weeks, targeting among others Muhammadiyah University Rector Masyitoh Chusnan.

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