Indonesian security forces arrested prominent extremist Basri alias Bagong, one of the top leaders of the East Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT) militant group in Poso, Central Sulawesi, on Wednesday.
Inspector General Boy Rafli Amar, the head of national police, confirmed that Basri was taken alive at 9 am local time. He said Basri will be brought to Palu, Central Sulawesi, for further interrogation.
However, the police have killed another member of the group when he tried to resist arrest.
The national police chief General Tito Karnavian said this latest arrest has weakened the MIT group.
"We are thankful that Basri who is the second most important target after Santoso has been captured alive by personnel from Operation Tinombala," General Tito told Channel NewsAsia on Wednesday.
Santoso, the leader of the MIT, was killed in a gunbattle with troops involved in Operation Tinombala in July. Santoso was Indonesia's most wanted terrorist. He was one of the first Indonesians to be have declared loyalty to Islamic State.
Last year, President Joko Widodo ordered the military to support the police force along with fighter jets and warships to capture US-designated "terrorist" Santoso, who was hiding in the jungles of Sulawesi.
General Tito said police are still searching for the third in command in the group, who has been identified as Ali Kalora.
He also added that police will continue to capture the rest of the MIT members through different approaches.
