Djibril Muhammad, Jakarta – The Detachment 88 counterterrorism unit has arrested 12 people across six provinces since Oct. 2 over alleged links to militant networks associated with Daulah Islamiyah, police said Sunday.
Densus 88 spokesman Mayndra Eka Wardhana said the arrests were carried out in separate operations in West Java, Central Java, Central Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Riau and North Maluku.
The suspects, aged between 22 and 52, have been formally designated as terrorism suspects, according to police.
"The suspects are believed to have links to groups affiliated with the Daulah Islamiyah ideology as well as other terrorist networks," Mayndra said in Jakarta.
Police identified the suspects only by their initials.
According to Detachment 88, they allegedly played various roles within the networks, ranging from coordinating activities and participating in training to disseminating propaganda and recruiting people both directly and through social media.
Some are also suspected of involvement in conspiracy to commit terrorism offenses, although Mayndra did not provide details about any alleged attack plans or intended targets.
Following the arrests, counterterrorism officers searched locations connected to the suspects and seized documents and other evidence, police said.
Mayndra said the preliminary investigation had identified links among some of the suspects, including online meetings allegedly used for indoctrination, network consolidation and other organizational activities.
Investigators also found indications that some suspects had participated in training activities, he said.
The alleged activities included physical training, firearms practice and other exercises that investigators believe may have been connected to militant activity.
"Investigators will further examine the evidence that has been found as well as each suspect's connections with other individuals and networks," Mayndra said.
He said the operations were part of the National Police's efforts to identify and disrupt potential terrorism threats at an early stage.
Police are seeking to prevent militant networks from consolidating, spreading propaganda, recruiting and indoctrinating members, or developing capabilities that could eventually lead to acts of violence, he added.