THE news was broadcast by radio at dawn on June 4, 1962. Sekarmadji Maridjan Kartoseowirjo, “The Imam of the Indonesian Islamic State,” had been captured by the army in his wet and muddy hiding place, in a sparsely forested area of West Java.

Kastolani, Commander of the Indonesian Islamic Army (TII) in Brebes, Central Java, could not control his anger. He wanted to order nine of his men to attack the headquarters of the Indonesian National A