Terrorist's aide killed in Indonesia

A close aide of Indonesia’s most-wanted terrorist has been arrested, police said today.

The suspect was shot in the leg as he tried to escape during a raid on his hide-out, according to a spokesman.

“Yusron Ahmahmud was wounded, but is in good condition,” national police spokesman Sisno Adiwinoto told The Associated Press. “He is being questioned by police.”

“I can confirm he is a close aide to Abu Dujana,” he said, referring to the alleged leader of the al Qaida-linked militant group Jemaah Islamiyah.

The arrest took place yesterday in the Banyumas district of Central Java province, Mr Adiwinoto said, adding that he hoped Ahmahmud would help lead police to Dujana.

“We think we’re getting closer,” he said.

Jemaah Islamiyah has been blamed for a string of terrorist attacks in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation.

Twin nightclub bombings on Bali island in 2002, blasts in Jakarta at the JW Marriott Hotel and the Australian Embassy in 2003 and 2004, and the 2005 restaurant bombings on Bali together killed more than 240 people.