Indonesia-based JAD added to terror watchlist

The Maldives terror watchlist had been amended to add a new group – the Indonesia-based Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD).

The list of terror groups and conflict zones designated by the president is complied under the advisement of the national security council.

The list was amended to include JAD on Monday.

The JAD was founded in Indonesia in 2015. The group has been linked to multiple terror attacks including the 2016 Jakarta attacks, 2016 Samarinda church bombing, 2017 Jakarta bombings, 2018 Mako Brimob standoff, and 2018 Surabaya bombings.

The addition of JAD increases the number of terror groups on the watchlist to 20.

The compilation of the terror watchlist was mandated under the Counter-Terror Act enacted in 2015. The list is subject to review on an annual basis.