Indonesia calls militants to surrender after death of most wanted-terrorist

Police carry body bags, one of which is believed to contain the remains of Santoso, the country's most-wanted militant, killed in a clash with security forces, from an ambulance at a hospital in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia July 19, 2016. [PhotoAgencies]

JAKARTA - Indonesia orders all militants hiding in forests in Poso of Central Sulawesi province to surrender to the security forces after their leader, the most-wanted Santoso, was shot dead.

National Police chief General Tito Karnavian on Tuesday asked them to come out from their hideouts and terminate their terrorist acts.

"They (must) leave their hideouts and undergo legal process," the general said at the State Palace.

The police has reported around 19 members of the militant group, the Mujahidin Indonesia Timur, led by Santoso, remain in the jungle of Poso.

The figure has significantly decreased since the Indonesian police and armed forces launched a military operation, starting earlier this year.

Santoso was shot dead by Indonesian soldiers in the forest on Monday, Indonesian Security Chief Minister Luhut Pandjaitan confirmed.

The militant group has links with the IS group and has involved in scores of terrorist strikes in Indonesia, including the suicide bombings in the country's capital of Jakarta on Jan. 24 that killed 8 people and injured nearly 30 others.