Friday, October 07, 2005

Bali bombers from 'new generation': Police

DENPASAR, Bali (AP): The suicide bombers who attacked three tourist-packed restaurants on Bali island were part of a "new generation" of terrorists, and were likely recruited only recently, the officer in charge of the investigation said on Friday.

Two key leaders of the al-Qaeda-linked militant group Jamaah Islamiyah are suspected of masterminding the near-simultaneous attacks that killed 22 people, including the three bombers, but terrorism experts say they may be working with other groups or individuals.

Bali police chief Maj. Gen. I Made Mangku Pastika said the bombers were likely recently recruited specifically to launch the weekend attacks on three crowded cafes on Bali.

"There is an indication they are a new generation," he told reporters Friday.

The bombers' severed heads were found meters from the blast sites, and photographs of their swollen but easily identifiable faces have been circulated nationwide and shown to several jailed Jamaah Islamiyah members.

So far, no one appears to recognize them. (**)

Taken from The Jakarta Post

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