Indonesia continued measures to detect, disrupt, degrade, and discredit haven for terrorist groups operating within its boundaries. The country’s counterterrorism agencies work cooperatively with other nations’ government law enforcement agencies. Indonesian National Police has revealed that around 181 terror suspects have been apprehended in Indonesia during preemptive operations over the past two years. The Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) has coordinated with the counter-terrorism squad Detachment 88 in executing the operations.
It is part of a vast effort to stop all terrorist threats, National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo expressed at the 79th founding anniversary of Brimob at their command in Depok, West Java province, on November 14. He stated that the former president had issued a directive emphasising the significance of preventing bomb attacks, even the least explosions. Listyo held that preventive actions are the top priority in anti-terrorist procedures. They include early intervention to prevent any potential terrorist plots.
Indonesian counterterrorism efforts are headed by civilians within the INP, with primary investigative responsibility allocated to the special counterterrorism unit “Densus 88.” The INP, including Densus 88, received continuous training and capacity-building assistance from the U.S. government.
In 2022, Densus 88 notified the arrests of several hundred suspected terrorists from JI and JAD in addition to the elimination of the terrorist group Mujahidin Indonesia Timur. The INP also declared successes in its deradicalization programs, which prompted several prominent terrorists to renounce violence. In addition to Densus 88, the INP employs its Mobile Brigade Corps (Korps BRIMOB l) for counterterrorism, riot control, hostage rescue, and bomb disposal operations. Although Indonesian counterterrorism measures are civilian-led, the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) are authorized to back counterterrorism primarily through the TNI Special Forces Command (Kopassus).
