Indonesia's most wanted terrorist confirmed dead
Updated
Indonesia's national police chief Bambang Hendarso Danuri says the country's most wanted terrorist, Noordin Mohammed Top, is dead. He was killed by security forces in Java during a raid this morning.
i>Presenter:Christine Webster
Speakers: Sidney Jones, Senior Adviser to the Asia Program of the International Crisis Group in Jakarta
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JONES: I think we can say that the most dangerous man in South East Asia is out of commission. The problem is it doesn't mean that terrorism is over and done with in Indonesia, because there are people who are still at large who can step into Noordin's shoes.
WEBSTER: There's also been I believe three other people shot by police, one of them has been mentioned in reports as being Urwah, as well. Is it likely that these three people are actually all connected with Jemaah Islamiah or the group that Noordin Mohammed Top was involved with?
JONES: Yes, I think that we can safely say they were all linked to Noordin. Urwah is confirmed dead. He's someone who was very much a part of Noordin's inner circle, was a JI member is also one of the few released prisoners who went back almost immediately to communication and involvement with Noordin's group.
WEBSTER: What is the mood in Indonesia at present, given this latest raid?
JONES: I have not seen reactions thus far from some people in the radical community. There is a suggestion I saw from one source that Noordin to be treated as a martyr. I don't think very many people in Indonesia will share that assessment. There is a lot of excitement on the television networks that finally, finally, finally, this most wanted man has been caught.
WEBSTER: Do you think that it really is a significant step forward in tackling terrorism in Indonesia?
JONES: No question. I think it both is a tribute to police efforts as well as a real serious blow to terrorism and terrorist networks. But as I said earlier, I don't think we should therefore conclude that the danger of violent extremism is gone, because there are people probably half a dozen individuals who have worked with Noordin in the past, who have the experience and the determination and the leadership potential to step in and take over the remnants of this group. But I do think it means that the dangers of attacks against Westerners goes down quite substantially.
