UPDATE 2 - Indonesia police kill 3 suspects in raid, recover bombs

ADDS COMMENT FROM PRESIDENT

By Ainur Rohmah

TUBAN, Indonesia (AA) - Indonesian anti-terror police killed three suspected militants in a raid near Jakarta during which several bombs were recovered Wednesday.

National police spokesman Brig. Gen. Rikwanto, who like many Indonesians uses one name, told detik.com that the group was planning to stage a knife attack on police on New Year’s Eve before blowing up a police station with civilians inside.

Another national police spokesman, Awi Setiyono, said the three were shot after resisting arrest at the house in South Tangerang city on the outskirts of Jakarta, while a fourth suspect was captured outside the residence.

"Three suspected terrorists died and one other is still alive," he told reporters.

"They were killed because they shot [at police] first," he was quoted as saying.

In comments later Wednesday, Setiyono said police found five bombs after searching the house.

"There were five active bombs including [a bomb] thrown at the anti-terror personnel," he said, adding that the explosive failed to explode.

Three backpacks and bomb-making materials were also recovered at the site.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo later applauded the police’s actions.

“Once again, I would like to express high appreciation to the police, who anticipated and prevented unwanted things from happening,” Widodo said in a statement.

Police believe the four belong to the same terror network as three suspects arrested earlier this month in Bekasi city in West Java province for allegedly planning a suicide bombing in front of the presidential palace.

Authorities had earlier said that the three captured Dec. 10 -- including one woman -- are members of the Jamaah Anshar Khilafah Daulah Nusantara (JAKDN) network led by Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian fighting with Daesh in Syria who authorities believe masterminded a fatal attack in Jakarta in January.

Police subsequently arrested a further 11 -- among them two women -- also believed to be JAKDN members.

On Wednesday, anti-terror personnel also arrested a suspected militant in Delisersang Regency in North Sumatra province.

Indonesia has been on alert against extremist activities over the past year, further heightening security measures after the January attack left eight people, including four Daesh-linked suspects, dead in the capital.

In late November, police arrested a bomb-maker -- also accused of JAKDN membership -- on charges of planning bomb attacks on government buildings and the Myanmar embassy in Jakarta.