Security Beefed Up In Indonesia Ahead Of Year-End Holiday Season

• Published date: 23 December 2022
• Publication title: ASEAN Tribune

23 December 2022 (NAM NEWS NETWORK) JAKARTA, Dec 23 (NNN-XINHUA) - Indonesian authorities have tightened security measures across the archipelago, in a bid to prevent terrorist attacks and other crimes, ahead of Christmas and year-end holidays.

Early this month, a suicide bombing occurred at Astanaanyar Police Station, in Bandung, West Java province, with an officer killed and several others injured. The attack was carried out by a 34-year-old local man, affiliated with the ISIS-inspired group, Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD).

After the incident, more than 20 suspects, allegedly affiliated with outlawed extremist organisations have been arrested, and are currently under investigation by authorities. They were busted in separate operations in provinces of West Java, Central Java and Sumatra.

To maintain public order and safety, during the year-end holiday season, more than 160,000 security personnel from the National Police, the Indonesian Military (TNI), and relevant agencies are to be deployed.

All the security forces will protect over 52,000 sites, including churches, shopping centres, bus terminals, seaports, airports, train stations, as well as, tourist spots. The seasonal security operation, locally known as Operasi Lilin, will be conducted and last for 11 days, starting today. The police's elite anti-terrorism unit, the Special Detachment 88 (Densus 88) will also take part...