Six terror suspects were arrested on Friday (Aug 5) for allegedly plotting to fire a rockets from Batam in an attack on Singapore’s Marina Bay, according to various media reports.
The suspects, aged between 19 and 46, were arrested in various locations in Batam, said the reports.
The Straits Times reported that the group, only identified by police as KGR@Katibah GR, is also accused of harbouring two Uighurs, according to a text message from Indonesian police spokesman Mr Boy Rafli Amar.
One Uighur named Ali has been linked to the suicide bomber who tried to attack a police station in the city of Solo in Central Java on July 5. The other Uighur has since been deported.
The group “have previously planned to launch a rocket from Batam to Marina Bay Singapore”, Indonesian police said, without elaborating.
They were named in a Batam Pos report as Trio Syafrido, 46, a bank employee; and factory workers Gigh Rahmat Dewa, 31, who is the group’s leader; Eka Saputra, 35; Tarmidzi, 21; Hadi Gusti Yanda, 20; and Mr Tegar Sucianto, 19.
Channel NewsAsia reported that police have yet to determine the motive behind the plot or when the suspects were planning to launch the attack with rockets – evidence of which has yet to be found.
The suspects are being investigated at special counter-terrosism squad Densu 88’s headquarters.
sujint@sph.com.sg
