Police arrest chief of terror group blamed for Bali attacks

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Indonesian police said Wednesday they had arrested the operations chief of Jemaah Islamiyah, an al-Qaida-linked group widely blamed for attacks throughout Southeast Asia, including blasts that killed nearly 200 people on the resort island of Bali.

Investigators hope the arrest of Mukhlas, also known as Ali Gufron, will shed light on the shadowy group and expose the extent of al-Qaida's reach in the world's most populous Muslim nation.

Police arrested Mukhlas and eight others suspects late Tuesday in a series of raids in central Java, said national police chief Gen. Erwin Mapaseng.

Police detective Brig. Gen. Aryanto Sutadi said one of those detained, identified only as Hermianto, was believed to have arranged accommodations for the bombers in Bali.

Nearly 200 people were killed in the Oct. 12 nightclub bombings in Bali, mostly foreign tourists. It was the world's bloodiest terrorist attack since Sept. 11.

Citing intelligence reports, Indonesian police said last week Mukhlas was believed to have replaced Riduan Isamuddin, also known as Hambali, as operations chief of Jemaah Islamiyah. They said Hambali was becoming too well-known and had been forced into hiding.

Hambali, an Indonesian citizen, has been described as al-Qaida's point man in Southeast Asia.

"Ali Gufron, or Mukhlas, is an important figure in the group (Jemaah Islamiyah)," Sutadi said. "We have been looking for him for a long time."

Mukhlas is the brother of Amrozi, who was arrested last month in connection with the Bali bombings. Amrozi confessed to owning the car used in the attack and buying materials for the bombs.

Police also have arrested Imam Samudra, who they have identified as one of the masterminds of the attacks.

At least 28 people have been arrested in connection with the blasts. Police have so far said Amrozi and Samudra are the only ones with a direct role. None have been charged.