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Published on The Jakarta Post (http://www.thejakartapost.com) Dulmatin returned to share knowledge at new camp Rendi A. Witular, Hotli Simanjuntak and Dicky Christanto , The Jakarta Post | Fri, 03/12/2010 11:41 AM | Special Report After the death of Malaysian master bombers Noordin M. Top and Azahari, Dulmatin born Joko Pitono, directly took up the reins to become Southeast Asias highest-profile terrorist leader. According to police, Dulmatins return was not merely to fill a vacant post, but to also help open up a new training camp in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam for an entirely different type of operation. Dulmatin and colleagues Umar Patek and Heru Kuncoro had extensive knowledge of setting up camps in the middle of the jungle from their experience in aiding Abu Sayyaf rebels in Mindanao, South Philippines. Dulmatin, trained by al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, was killed Tuesday in a police raid at an internet café in Pamulang, South Tangerang, Banten. His two bodyguards were also shot dead in a separate raid on the same day. Umar and Heru, however, remain at large. As the masterminds of the 2002 Bali bombing, Dulmatin and Umar sought sanctuary with Abu Sayyaf group in 2003, and survived intense manhunts by the Filipino security forces and the US military. >From there, both provided frequent assistance to fellow Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militants to orchestrate terror activities across the country. National Police chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri acknowledged that Dulmatin was more skilled than Azahari in making bombs. He said early investigations proved that Dulmatin decided to return home with a plan, which was still being investigated by police based on recovered documents and evidence. One thing is certain: Dulmatin was responsible for initiating the military-style training in Aceh Besar [regency], he said. Dulmatins training camp in Aceh was set up deep in the Jalin forest, with the closest village located 3 kilometers away. The police found dozens of weapons, including M-16s and AK-47s, as well as tens of thousands of rounds. Bambang said Dulmatin and his group had secured Rp 500 million (US$52,000) to fund the camp. Terrorism commentator Al Chaidar, a former member of the Darul Islam (DI) militant group and now a lecturer at Acehs Syiah Kuala University, said Dulmatins return was not only to open the camp but to also roll out an entirely new operation, as he was a high-ranking JI leader. He ranked above Azahari and Noordin, he said, adding that Dulmatin now actually led the terror network in the field, a move he rarely took. Dulmatin, born in Pemalang, Central Java on June 6, 1970, is survived by four children who studied in Ulul Albab boarding school in Sukoharjo, Central Java. His widow, Istiada, lives in the school compound. He left his family in Sukoharjo, and on Nov. 3, 2009, moved into lodgings in Gang Madrasah in Pondok Benda, Pamulang, which he rented for Rp 250,000 a month. Neighbors said Dulmatin claimed to work as a salesman in motorcycle and car showrooms in Pamulang. After graduating high school in Yogyakarta in 1990, Dulmatin spent time in Afghanistan and Malaysia from 1992 to 1995 before joining sectarian conflicts in Ambon, Maluku, and in Poso, Central Sulawesi, between 1998 and 2000. According to police reports, apart from the Bali bombing, Dulmatin was also involved in the bombing of the Philippine ambassadors residence in Jakarta in 2000, Christmas Eve bombings in Jakarta and Mojokerto in 2000, Atrium shopping center bombing in 2001, and the first JW Marriott bombing in 2003. Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved. _____ Source URL: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/03/12/dulmatin-returned-share-knowle dge-new-camp.html [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
