Noordin Mohammed Top
Encyclopedia
Noordin Mohammad Top of Malaysian citizenship, was a Muslim extremist, also referred to as (Noordin) Din Moch Top, Muh Top, or Mat Top, was Indonesia
's most wanted Islamist militant.
Born in Kluang
, Johor
, Malaysia, he is thought to have been a key bomb maker and/or financier for Jemaah Islamiyah
(JI) and to have left JI and set up a more violent splinter group Tanzim Qaedat al-Jihad
. Noordin was reported by the FBI to be "an explosives expert". The FBI also has reported him to be "an officer, recruiter, bombmaker, and trainer for the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) group."
Noordin and Azahari Husin
were thought to have masterminded the 2003 JW Marriott hotel bombing in Jakarta
, the 2004 Australian embassy bombing in Jakarta, the 2005 Bali bombings
and the 2009 JW Marriott - Ritz-Carlton bombings
, and Noordin may have assisted in the 2002 Bali Bombings.
Noordin, nicknamed "Moneyman", was an indoctrinator
who was specialized in recruiting militants into becoming suicide bombers and collecting funds for militant activities.
Having long since been wanted by Malaysian and Indonesian authorities, in 2006, he also became listed on the FBI's third major "wanted" list, the FBI Seeking Information - War on Terrorism list
.
He was killed during a police raid in Solo, Central Java, on 17 September 2009 conducted by the Indonesian anti-terrorist team, Densus 88.
On 5 August 2003, a suicide bomber detonated a car bomb
outside the lobby of the JW Marriott Hotel
in Jakarta, killing 12 people and injuring 150. Jemaah Islamiyah was suspected of responsibility for the bombing.
In July 2004, a car bomb was exploded outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta, killing several people including the suicide bomber, and wounding over 140 others. Jemaah Islamiyah with Azahari Husin, and Noordin M. Top were suspected of being behind the bombing.
On 1 October 2005, bombs were detonated
in Jimbaran
and Kuta
in Bali. The bombings killed 23 people, including three bombers trained by Noordin.
In July 2009, two suicide bombers
killed seven people at the Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott hotels in Jakarta. Local anti-terrorism officials said that there were "strong indications" that Noordin Top was behind the attacks.
After the October 2005 attack, a Philippine
security official said that for months intelligence officials in Southeast Asia
had received information that the al-Qaeda
-linked Jemaah Islamiyah group was orchestrating a major strike, possibly in the Philippines or Indonesia, but were unable to uncover the plot's details in time to prevent it.
Mbai identified the chief suspect in the 2005 attack as Azahari Husin, who was thought to collaborate with the second suspect, Noordin, whose wife was sentenced to three years in prison for harbouring him. Azahari Husin was later killed in a raid in November 2005.
On 24 February 2006, the FBI added Noordin among three names to the Seeking Information – War on Terrorism list.
On 29 April 2006, he narrowly escaped capture after his safe-house was raided by heavily armed Indonesian police in Binangun, Central Java
. In the altercation, Abdul Hadi and Jabir were killed.
In June 2006, it was reported that Noordin was threatening more attacks in video tapes recovered by Indonesian authorities, and police believe that he may have formed his own organisation outside JI.
On 8 August 2009, there were media reports that he had been killed during a shootout with police near Temanggung, a village in Central Java
. Forensic testing conducted by Indonesian police, however, disproved this speculation. A body recovered from the ambush site was instead found to be Ibrohim, a key organiser of the 2009 Jakarta bombings
.
Chief Bambang Hendarso Danuri
announced on 17 September 2009 that Noordin was killed in a police raid along with three other terrorists. Police hunting for suspects in bombings of July, 2009 tracked the seven suspects to Solo
in Central Java and besieged a village house on the outskirts overnight. The raid ended near daybreak when an explosion was detonated inside the home. Four suspected militants were killed and three were captured. The operation left behind a charred house with no roof and blown-out walls. The bodies were flown to Jakarta for autopsies.
Among four bodies recovered after the raid a corpse was identified as Noordin's; fingerprints taken from it matched those of Noordin that were obtained from Malaysia. A similarity was found in at least 14 minutiae
points. On 19 September 2009, Indonesian National Police spokesperson announced that a DNA test was also carried out and it was proved that the body is Noordin's. According to a police intelligence officer, the renter of the house, "Susilo", Noordin's close associate Bagus Budi Pranoto, alias "Urwah", and Aryo Sudarso, alias Mistam Hisamuddin, were killed in the raid, along with Noordin. Police were led to the house after arresting Indonesian militant Rohmat Puji Prabowo at a marketplace in Solo on 16 September.
Sidney Jones, the Southeast Asia programme director of the International Crisis Group
, commented that Noordin's death was "a huge blow for the extremist organizations in Indonesia and the region", because "there isn't another radical leader in Indonesia who has given that same message so consistently."
s and escapes from police raids, Noordin married several women in Indonesia and produced several children from those marriages.
He married Munfiatun AKA Fitri on 7 July 2004. Fitri was sentenced to three years in prison for protecting him. He also married an unidentified woman in Rokan Hilir
, Riau, during his exile after the first Bali Bombing
. Around 2007, he also married Ariani Rahma during his exile in Cilacap
. One other unidentified woman was also believed to be Noordin's wife during his time in police custody. These marriages were believed to be a part of his strategy to socialize with the local people in order to keep his identity secret. His first wife was an Indonesian-born Malaysian woman, who now lives in Johor
?, Malaysia, with their son.
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
's most wanted Islamist militant.
Born in Kluang
Kluang
Kluang is a town and district located roughly in the middle of the state of Johor in Malaysia. Kluang lies about 110 km north of Johor Bahru, east-southeast of Batu Pahat, west of Mersing and south of Segamat...
, Johor
Johor
Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...
, Malaysia, he is thought to have been a key bomb maker and/or financier for Jemaah Islamiyah
Jemaah Islamiyah
Jemaah Islamiah , is a Southeast Asian militant Islamic organization dedicated to the establishment of a Daulah Islamiyah in Southeast Asia incorporating Indonesia, Malaysia, the southern Philippines, Singapore and Brunei...
(JI) and to have left JI and set up a more violent splinter group Tanzim Qaedat al-Jihad
Tanzim Qaedat al-Jihad
Tanzim Qaedat al-Jihad , also known as Al-Qaeda in the Malay Archipelago, is thought to be a militant splinter group of Southeast Asian Islamist group Jemaah Islamiya. It is thought to have been led by Noordin Mohammad Top....
. Noordin was reported by the FBI to be "an explosives expert". The FBI also has reported him to be "an officer, recruiter, bombmaker, and trainer for the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) group."
Noordin and Azahari Husin
Azahari Husin
Dr. Azahari bin Husin was a Malaysian who was believed to be the technical mastermind behind the 2002 Bali bombing. He was killed in a police raid on his hideout in Indonesia in 2005. He was nicknamed the "Demolition Man".-History:He received extensive bomb training in Afghanistan...
were thought to have masterminded the 2003 JW Marriott hotel bombing in Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
, the 2004 Australian embassy bombing in Jakarta, the 2005 Bali bombings
2005 Bali bombings
The 2005 Bali bombings were a series of terrorist suicide bomb and a series of car bombs and attacks that occurred on October 1, 2005, in Bali, Indonesia. Bombs exploded at two sites in Jimbaran Beach Resort and in Kuta away, both in south Bali. The terrorist attack claimed the lives of 20 people...
and the 2009 JW Marriott - Ritz-Carlton bombings
2009 Jakarta bombings
At around 7:50 am local time on 17 July 2009, the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia, were hit by separate bombings five minutes apart. Three of the seven victims who were killed were Australians, two from The Netherlands, and one each from New Zealand and Indonesia. More...
, and Noordin may have assisted in the 2002 Bali Bombings.
Noordin, nicknamed "Moneyman", was an indoctrinator
Indoctrination
Indoctrination is the process of inculcating ideas, attitudes, cognitive strategies or a professional methodology . It is often distinguished from education by the fact that the indoctrinated person is expected not to question or critically examine the doctrine they have learned...
who was specialized in recruiting militants into becoming suicide bombers and collecting funds for militant activities.
Having long since been wanted by Malaysian and Indonesian authorities, in 2006, he also became listed on the FBI's third major "wanted" list, the FBI Seeking Information - War on Terrorism list
FBI Seeking Information - War on Terrorism list
The FBI Seeking Information – War on Terrorism list is the third major "wanted" list to have been created by the United States Department of Justice's Federal Bureau of Investigation to be used as a primary tool for publicly identifying and tracking down suspected terrorists operating against...
.
He was killed during a police raid in Solo, Central Java, on 17 September 2009 conducted by the Indonesian anti-terrorist team, Densus 88.
Bombings
It is thought that Noordin may have assisted in planning the 2002 Bali Bombings, in which 202 people were killed.On 5 August 2003, a suicide bomber detonated a car bomb
2003 Marriott Hotel bombing
The 2003 Marriott Hotel bombing occurred on 5 August 2003 in Mega Kuningan, South Jakarta, Indonesia. A suicide bomber detonated a car bomb outside the lobby of the JW Marriott Hotel, killing twelve people and injuring 150. All those killed were Indonesian with the exception of one Dutch...
outside the lobby of the JW Marriott Hotel
JW Marriott Hotels
JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, namesake of John Willard Marriott, Founder, Chairman & CEO of is a luxury hotel chain. Found in major cities as well as vacation destinations world-wide, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts are becoming known in the hospitality industry for their practical approach to luxury...
in Jakarta, killing 12 people and injuring 150. Jemaah Islamiyah was suspected of responsibility for the bombing.
In July 2004, a car bomb was exploded outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta, killing several people including the suicide bomber, and wounding over 140 others. Jemaah Islamiyah with Azahari Husin, and Noordin M. Top were suspected of being behind the bombing.
On 1 October 2005, bombs were detonated
2005 Bali bombings
The 2005 Bali bombings were a series of terrorist suicide bomb and a series of car bombs and attacks that occurred on October 1, 2005, in Bali, Indonesia. Bombs exploded at two sites in Jimbaran Beach Resort and in Kuta away, both in south Bali. The terrorist attack claimed the lives of 20 people...
in Jimbaran
Jimbaran
Jimbaran is a fishing village and tourist resort in Bali, Indonesia. Located south of Ngurah Rai International Airport, the beach has seafood restaurants and luxury hotels, including the five-star Intercontinental Hotel Bali, Four Seasons and Jimbaran Puri Bali...
and Kuta
Kuta
Kuta is administratively a district and subdistrict/village in southern Bali, Indonesia. A former fishing village, it was one of the first towns on Bali to see substantial tourist development, and as a beach resort remains one of Indonesia's major tourist destinations...
in Bali. The bombings killed 23 people, including three bombers trained by Noordin.
In July 2009, two suicide bombers
2009 Jakarta bombings
At around 7:50 am local time on 17 July 2009, the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia, were hit by separate bombings five minutes apart. Three of the seven victims who were killed were Australians, two from The Netherlands, and one each from New Zealand and Indonesia. More...
killed seven people at the Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott hotels in Jakarta. Local anti-terrorism officials said that there were "strong indications" that Noordin Top was behind the attacks.
Fugitive trail
On 21 July 2005, Irun Hidayat was convicted of being an accessory by providing a house to Azahari Husin and Noordin Top.After the October 2005 attack, a Philippine
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
security official said that for months intelligence officials in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
had received information that the al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda is a global broad-based militant Islamist terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden sometime between August 1988 and late 1989. It operates as a network comprising both a multinational, stateless army and a radical Sunni Muslim movement calling for global Jihad...
-linked Jemaah Islamiyah group was orchestrating a major strike, possibly in the Philippines or Indonesia, but were unable to uncover the plot's details in time to prevent it.
Mbai identified the chief suspect in the 2005 attack as Azahari Husin, who was thought to collaborate with the second suspect, Noordin, whose wife was sentenced to three years in prison for harbouring him. Azahari Husin was later killed in a raid in November 2005.
On 24 February 2006, the FBI added Noordin among three names to the Seeking Information – War on Terrorism list.
On 29 April 2006, he narrowly escaped capture after his safe-house was raided by heavily armed Indonesian police in Binangun, Central Java
Central Java
Central Java is a province of Indonesia. The administrative capital is Semarang. It is one of six provinces on the island of Java.This province is the province of high Human Development in Indonesia and its Points Development Index countries is equivalent to Lebanon. The province of Central Java...
. In the altercation, Abdul Hadi and Jabir were killed.
In June 2006, it was reported that Noordin was threatening more attacks in video tapes recovered by Indonesian authorities, and police believe that he may have formed his own organisation outside JI.
On 8 August 2009, there were media reports that he had been killed during a shootout with police near Temanggung, a village in Central Java
Central Java
Central Java is a province of Indonesia. The administrative capital is Semarang. It is one of six provinces on the island of Java.This province is the province of high Human Development in Indonesia and its Points Development Index countries is equivalent to Lebanon. The province of Central Java...
. Forensic testing conducted by Indonesian police, however, disproved this speculation. A body recovered from the ambush site was instead found to be Ibrohim, a key organiser of the 2009 Jakarta bombings
2009 Jakarta bombings
At around 7:50 am local time on 17 July 2009, the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia, were hit by separate bombings five minutes apart. Three of the seven victims who were killed were Australians, two from The Netherlands, and one each from New Zealand and Indonesia. More...
.
Death
Indonesian National PoliceIndonesian National Police
The Indonesian National Police is the official police force for Indonesia. It had formerly been a part of the Tentara Nasional Indonesia. The police were formally separated from the military in April 1999, a process which was formally completed in July 2000. With 150,000 personnel, the police form...
Chief Bambang Hendarso Danuri
Bambang Hendarso Danuri
General Police Bambang Hendarso Danuri is Chief of the Indonesian National Police since 1 October 2008. Bambang Hendarso replaced Chief of Police General Sutanto who was relieved of duty. He was nominated by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.-Reference:...
announced on 17 September 2009 that Noordin was killed in a police raid along with three other terrorists. Police hunting for suspects in bombings of July, 2009 tracked the seven suspects to Solo
Surakarta
Surakarta, also called Solo or Sala, is a city in Central Java, Indonesia of more than 520,061 people with a population density of 11,811.5 people/km2. The 44 km2 city adjoins Karanganyar Regency and Boyolali Regency to the north, Karanganyar Regency and Sukoharjo Regency to the east and...
in Central Java and besieged a village house on the outskirts overnight. The raid ended near daybreak when an explosion was detonated inside the home. Four suspected militants were killed and three were captured. The operation left behind a charred house with no roof and blown-out walls. The bodies were flown to Jakarta for autopsies.
Among four bodies recovered after the raid a corpse was identified as Noordin's; fingerprints taken from it matched those of Noordin that were obtained from Malaysia. A similarity was found in at least 14 minutiae
Minutiae
Minutiae are, in everyday English, minor or incidental details.In biometrics and forensic science, minutiae are major features of a fingerprint, using which comparisons of one print with another can be made...
points. On 19 September 2009, Indonesian National Police spokesperson announced that a DNA test was also carried out and it was proved that the body is Noordin's. According to a police intelligence officer, the renter of the house, "Susilo", Noordin's close associate Bagus Budi Pranoto, alias "Urwah", and Aryo Sudarso, alias Mistam Hisamuddin, were killed in the raid, along with Noordin. Police were led to the house after arresting Indonesian militant Rohmat Puji Prabowo at a marketplace in Solo on 16 September.
Sidney Jones, the Southeast Asia programme director of the International Crisis Group
International Crisis Group
The International Crisis Group is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization whose mission is to prevent and resolve deadly conflicts around the world through field-based analyses and high-level advocacy.-History:...
, commented that Noordin's death was "a huge blow for the extremist organizations in Indonesia and the region", because "there isn't another radical leader in Indonesia who has given that same message so consistently."
Wives
During his exileExile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...
s and escapes from police raids, Noordin married several women in Indonesia and produced several children from those marriages.
He married Munfiatun AKA Fitri on 7 July 2004. Fitri was sentenced to three years in prison for protecting him. He also married an unidentified woman in Rokan Hilir
Rokan Hilir
Rokan Hilir is a regency of Riau, Indonesia. It has an area of 8,941 km² and population of 349,771.Bagansiapiapi is the capital of Rokan Hilir regency.The regency is divided into 13 subdistricts ....
, Riau, during his exile after the first Bali Bombing
2002 Bali bombing
The 2002 Bali bombings occurred on 12 October 2002 in the tourist district of Kuta on the Indonesian island of Bali. The attack was claimed as the deadliest act of terrorism in the history of Indonesia according to the current police general, killing 202 people,...
. Around 2007, he also married Ariani Rahma during his exile in Cilacap
Cilacap
Cilacap is a regency in the southwestern part of Central Java province in Indonesia. Its capital is Cilacap, which is an municipality in its own right....
. One other unidentified woman was also believed to be Noordin's wife during his time in police custody. These marriages were believed to be a part of his strategy to socialize with the local people in order to keep his identity secret. His first wife was an Indonesian-born Malaysian woman, who now lives in Johor
Johor
Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...
?, Malaysia, with their son.