Australian troops launched search operation on Thursday in Dili for key suspects in Monday's attempted assassination on Timor Leste president and prime minister.
Security was extremely tight with Portuguese soldiers ringing the area, amid concerns grief could erupt into anger after Reinado and another rebel killed in Monday's attacks were buried Thursday afternoon, according to Australian Associated Press report sent from Dili.
The high state of alert comes as Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd prepares to fly to Dili Friday morning to meet with his Timorese counterpart Xanana Gusmao and show support for the democratic government in Dili, the capital of Timor Leste.
Australian troops backed by helicopters hunted for suspects in Monday's attacks in which President Jose Ramos-Horta was shot and wounded. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao was also ambushed but escaped unharmed.
Australian military spokesman Major Phil Pyke said the operation was launched after a "group of persons of interest were identified" around the village of Dare. There was no immediate word on whether anyone was detained, according to the report.
Meanwhile, UN Police (UNPOL) said five suspects had been identified, and most of them had outstanding arrest warrants over violence that rocked Timor Leste in 2006.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article