Terror ‘chatter’ points to Christmas attack

JI has yet to mount an attack this year, with their operational network severely blunted by the death of master bombmaker Azahari Husin, and the arrest of other key personnel.

But key planner Noordin Top still manages to elude Indonesian authorities, and JI continues to attract recruits.

According to terrorism experts, Top leads a JI splinter group and no longer seeks approval from a central command to carry out suicide bomb attacks.

Mr Downer warned yesterday terrorists could attack churches in Indonesia over the Christmas season. Christmas bombings have been a feature of previous JI campaigns, but last year’s holiday passed without incident.

“We do have some information about possible specific terrorist attacks,” Mr Downer said. “So we are very concerned that people know what the risks and the dangers are.”

On Christmas Eve 2000, under then operations chief Hambali, JI carried out a wave of bombings on 38 Christian churches across Indonesia that killed 19 people and injured 120.

Security experts fear the much looser JI structure may again try to strike soon to prove the organisation is still capable of action as a terror group.

Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Keelty backed Mr Downer’s warning yesterday, saying holidaymakers should think carefully before venturing to destinations such as Bali.

He urged travellers to consult DFAT’s travel advice before departing overseas.

“We are concerned at the moment that there may be further bombings during this Christmas period,” he said.

On Thursday night, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade renewed its travel advisory for Indonesia, urging against visiting the country due to the “very high threat of terrorist attack”.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20966819-601,00.html

Belum sadar juga nih orang2 otak udang. Gak kasian apa ama orang2 yang gak ada hubungannya dengan orientasi aktivitas jahamannya. Ini baru warning aja udah kerasa seret nyari duit, apalagi kalo sampe terulang. Abis dah. Emang tuh teroris mau ngasih makan ?