Jakarta, July 11: Indonesian Police said today they had arrested several senior members of the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah terror organisation. Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Edward Aritonang denied local media speculation that one of the suspects was the group's fugitive head, Hambali.

He declined to give any more details, including how many suspects were arrested. "They are important arrests but we cannot release any more details because we are still chasing more (suspects) and we don't want to jeopardize (that investigation) and our officers' security."

He said police would "soon" release more information.

Jemaah Islamiyah has been blamed for last year's Bali bombings, which killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists. Police have arrested scores of the group's operatives since the October 12 blasts, but have said that several key figures remain at large.

Hambali, also known as Riduan Isamuddin, has been described as al-Qaeda's point man in Southeast Asia. He has been accused of a string of attacks in Indonesia, including the Bali blasts. Police in the Philippines and Singapore have also accused him of terror activities. Bureau Report