The two men, identified as Rukli and Ahmad Gazali, were fatally shot during a pre-dawn raid by a five-man team of military and police in Central Sulawesi province’s mountainous Parigi Moutong district, said Maj. Gen. Richard Tampubolon, who heads the joint operation. Parigi Moutong borders Poso district, considered an extremist hotbed in the province.
Tampubolon said the security team located the terrorist camp on Wednesday in the densely forested village of Tanah Lanto.
The team was able to approach the camp early Sunday with five terrorists inside, however three terrorists escaped the firefight into the jungle, Tampubolon said in a statement.
He said security forces were still searching for the seven remaining members of group who are still at large, including Kalora.
The East Indonesia Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for several killings of police and Christians.
In May, the group killed four Christians in Kalemago village of Poso district, including one victim who was beheaded. Authorities said the attack was in revenge for the killing in March of two terrorists, including the son of the group’s former leader Abu Wardah Santoso.
Kalora’s predecessor was killed by security forces in July 2016. Dozens of other leaders and members of the group have been killed or captured since then.
Attacks on foreigners have been largely replaced by smaller, less deadly strikes targeting the government, police, and anti-terrorism forces.
