By Ainur Rohmah

JAKARTA

Indonesian police announced Thursday that three men with suspected links to Daesh were arrested amid an ongoing operation on Sulawesi island against the most wanted man in the archipelago.

Brigadier General Pol. Idham Azis, Central Sulawesi police chief, said, “this morning, my personnel reported that they had arrested another three people in Tayawa village."

National news agency Antara quoted him as saying, “so the total number of recently [arrested suspects] is seven people."

Azis did not provide more details about the operation or the identities of the suspects, believed to be followers of Santoso, also known as Abu Wardah.

The police chief added that Santoso and around 31 of his followers -- who are believed to have pledged allegiance to Daesh -- are still hiding in the mountainous forests around Poso town, Central Sulawesi province.

At least seven suspects have been killed and 17 others were captured and will face legal proceedings under Camar Maleo, an operation launched in pursuit of Santoso that is set to end Jan. 9th.

Two policemen and one soldier have also been killed and four other police officers injured amid the security efforts.

The operation comes amid an increase in arrests of people suspected of having links to Daesh.

Last week, 11 people were placed in custody on Java island for allegedly plotting a Christmas Eve attack in Jakarta.

According to national police, there are three categories of affiliation to Daesh in Indonesia -- core groups, supporters and sympathizers -- totaling 1,085 people.

At least 408 Indonesians have joined the extremist group in the Middle East, while police say they are monitoring around 70 who have returned to the country after joining the war in Syria.