BALI, Indonesia – Investigators on Monday hunted for the two suspected masterminds of suicide bombings on this resort island as Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and other nations went on high alert to protect their beaches from a repeat of the weekend attacks.
Newspapers published graphic photographs of the three alleged bombers’ severed heads, evidence that investigators hope will lead them to the two Malaysians believed to have plotted Saturday’s attacks at crowded restaurants that killed at least 22 people and wounded 104, including six Americans.
The men suspected of masterminding the attacks – Azahari bin Husin and Noordin Mohamed Top – allegedly are key figures in Jemaah Islamiyah, a regional Islamic militant group with links to al-Qaida that is blamed for the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings that killed 202 people, mostly foreigners.
Azahari is known as “Demolition Man” for his knowledge of explosives, while Noordin has been dubbed “Moneyman” for his ability to raise money and recruit bombers.
Police also sought three accomplices believed to be still on the island.
The bombings came as Southeast Asia geared up for its major tourist season, when millions of Europeans and other foreigners flock to sunny beaches to escape the winter months. It was the second attack targeting Bali in three years.
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ordered plainclothes security officials to popular tourist spots, warning that terrorists were “commuting and rotating around in the region.”
The Philippines placed its 115,000-strong police force on heightened alert and said it would intensify intelligence gathering, while Malaysia tightened border security to prevent the alleged masterminds of the Bali attacks from returning home.
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