Four people have been killed when a Salvation Army outpost in central Sulawesi, Indonesia, was attacked on Friday morning, according to reports.
The attack reportedly took place on the rural Lewono Lembantongoa Outpost at about 8am when attackers, wielding swords and firearms and reported as numbering up to 10, killed four people and set a church and houses on fire.
A manhunt was underway in the wake of the attack. Authorities initially reportedly blamed the East Indonesia Mujahideen, a group affiliated with the so-called Islamic State, according to a report in The Jakarta Post.
The Salvation Army called on its members in Indonesia to observe a three-minute silence and to pray for grieving families and congregations on Sunday.
General Brian Peddle, international leader of The Salvation Army, said in a statement that news of the attack was “deeply disturbing”.
“Our hearts go out to our people who have been victims of evil, and to the families of those whose faith have caused such harm,” he said. “I call upon all Salvationists to pray for each person who has been affected, for the continuing witness of our people, and for healing in the communities. I ask our global community to join us in this prayer, and believe that as peace finds its place, evil will be defeated. As General, I assure our people in Indonesia of our deep love and prayers.”
Gina Goh, regional manager for South-East Asia for persecuted church advocacy organisation International Christian Concern, said the organisation “mourns the death of the Indonesian brothers and sisters who were brutally murdered by the alleged terrorist”.
“We urge the Indonesian government to take necessary measures to hold him accountable and put him to justice,” she said in a statement. “Such senseless act cannot be tolerated in the country that boasts ‘Pancasila,’ the state ideology which promotes religious harmony and tolerance.”
The Salvation Army has more than 60,000 members in Indonesia.
