Indonesia: Singapore plot gang has dozens of members

By Ainur Rohmah

TUBAN, Indonesia

Indonesian police revealed Monday that a terror gang that planned a rocket attack on Singapore has dozens of members across the archipelago.

Singapore had expressed gratitude to Indonesian authorities Friday for an international cooperation that led to the arrest to six suspected militants for planning to launch a rocket from the Indonesian island of Batam to Marina Bay near Singapore's central business district.

Indonesian national police spokesman Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said Monday that anti-terror personnel had searched the residences of two alleged group members and found long-range guns and explosives, but no evidence of materials or components for making rockets.

Detik.com also quoted him as saying that the terrorist network’s leader, Gigih Rahmat Dewa, had communicated through social media with Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian fighting with Daesh in Syria who authorities believe masterminded a fatal attack in Jakarta in January.

"The [Singapore attack] plan was revealed by their conversation in Facebook," Amar said.

He added that a 20-year-old who was among the six suspects arrested last week had been released after investigation results showed he was not connected to the network and “is not directly related to the group's activities".

According to Amar, Dewa has an important role in the Batam-based terror cell and prepares locals recruited to join Daesh in Syria.

After his arrest, a neighbor had said a bomb was among items seized by law enforcement officers.

Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs said Singaporean security agencies had been coordinating with their Indonesian counterparts, adding that the police and other security agencies stepped up inland and border security measures.