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November 14, 2005

Indonesia: Hunt For Jemaah Islamiyah Islamist Intensifies

We reported earlier that Azahari bin Husin, the Malaysian- born "bombmaker" for Islamist group Jemaah Islamiyah, blew himself up on November 9 at his hideout near Malang on the island of Java.

It appears now that Azahari had not been blown to bits by a bomb of his own accord, as previously reported. Yesterday's Sunday Times states that an autopsy on Azahari's body showed he had died from a single bullet to the heart. The article describes the surveillance of Detachment 88, the squad sent to try to pick up Azahari, who was inside the hideout with another accomplice named Arman. The pair had been calling themselves Yahyah and Budi

At 3.05pm the police shouted an ultimatum. Shots came from the house. A confused exchange of fire began. At 3.25pm a loud bang was heard, apparently from a device hurled at police.

Five minutes later a bigger blast blew the tin roof off the house and set off a series of smaller explosions. The "Demolition Man" was found in one piece, Arman in fragments. An autopsy discovered a bullet through Azahari's heart and his suicide belt intact.

In the last seconds, it seemed, it was the disciple, not the master, who had the strength to push the lethal button.

Azahari's body was identified through fingerprinting. Indonesian authorities have said that there was no need for DNA tests, and Azahari's Malaysian relatives could collect his body upon request.

In Malaysia, the Islamic opposition party, the Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party (PAS), has demanded proof that Azahari had been behind any terrorist bombings, states Malaysia's Daily ExpressThe newspaper quotes Abdul Hadi of PAS, who says:

"I fear the allegations against Azahari is like the allegations made against Iraq having weapons of mass destruction.

"Until today there is no proof (of his involvement). We want a fair investigation. We should not be cowed by the US which is carrying out its global agenda of imperialism."

The BBC reports today that in Indonesia, the hunt for Noordin Mohammad Top, the alleged partner in crime of Azahari, has been stepped up. Noordin Mohammad Top is believed to be a main financier and recruiter for Jemaah Islamiyah.

Indonesian police chief General Sutanto claims that security forces had traced Top to the town of Semarang, on the northern coast of central Java. The detection, which was probably by mobile phone location, which was used to trace Azahari, happened at the same time as news came of the hiding place of Azahiri.

Sutanto said that Top escaped from the house, leaving behind his personal belongings. The police found a video in the house, including footage of the three suicide bombers who caused the explosions on Bali on October 1, killing at least 20 people.

Currently police are checking cars, knocking on doors of houses and checking bus stations and railway stations for Noordin Top. The public have been asked by the head of counter-terrorism at the security ministry, Ansyad Mbai, to be vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity. He noted that neighbours at Azahari's hide-out had noticed strange occurrences, but had only mentioned these to police when the raid had finished.

At the raid on Azahari's hide-out, thirty bombs were discovered, and two computers, which hopefully will contain information on future targets, states Lt-Gen Makbul Padmanegra, a police detective chief.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at November 14, 2005 9:50 AM

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