7 suspected terrorists arrested in eastern Indonesia

JAKARTA - Indonesia's counterterrorism squad, known as Densus 88, has arrested seven people on suspicion of terrorism activities in two separate operations in the eastern province of Central Sulawesi, the unit's spokesman said on Thursday.

Aswin Siregar of the Densus 88 told local media that all suspects had alleged ties with the homegrown extremist group Jamaah Islamiyah (JI), which links to the Islamic State.

The JI was behind the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed more than 200 people on the archipelago's resort island of Bali.

According to him, these suspects were arrested separately in the town of Palu and in the regency of Sigi.

The spokesman also said the anti-terror squad seized evidence during the raid, including mobile phones and laptops.