The support for hardline Islamists and Jihadi movement has spread in Indonesia and the government quickly launched a crackdown on a possible terrorist threat.

Small groups of Muslim extremists pledged their loyalty to the Islamic State of Syria and the Levant (ISIS) in Jakarta and Java. Thousands echoed their allegiance online via social networks, according to Voice of America

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The Indonesian government quickly moved to crack down on developments in hardline Islamist movements. Earlier this month, it officially banned ISIS and the spread of the group's principles.

According to the government, ISIS goes against the country's pluralist ideology called Pancasila. It then announced that it will take down websites that carry the hardline group's teachings.

In a panel discussion held Wednesday, Indonesian counterterrorism personnel Sri Yunanto said the government is increasing its efforts to stop the threat of Jihadi "alumni," or Indonesian forces coming home from Syria.

Yunanto explained that they have to gear up for the return of the Indonesian fighters after the ISIS crisi in the Middle East is resolved. He said they do not want "ISIS alumni" to be like Afghan and Moro fighters.

Individuals responsible for major terror attacks in the country received training in Afghanistan and from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the Philippines. In the last ten years, the Indonesian government successfully dissolved Jemaah Islamiyah and other hardline groups in the country.

Future Indonesian jihadists would most likely take advantage of the Syrian crisis to learn important skills in making weapons and bomb. They would also use the situation to establish contacts with a high-profile terrorist organization.

According to Institute of International Peace Building executive director Taufik Andrie, the biggest threat comes from "freelance" jihadists fueled by individual motivation and not those who follow a group's ideals. These individuals are usually driven by money and gain information online, Andrie explained.

Indonesia believes around 30 Indonesians are already part of ISIS, but analysts suggest the number could reach 200. Although this number is quite small, Jakarta-based analyst Todd Elliott said the returning jihadists are a threat to long-term security because they could pass on their skills to other groups and younger jihadists.

Authorities in Indonesia warned that ISIS supporters could lose their citizenship. The government also said they will keep a closer eye on future travelers bound for the Middle East.

TagsIndonesia, Voice of America, Islamic State of Syria and the Levant, ISIS, Pancasila, Sri Yunanto, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Afghanistan, Institute of International Peace Building, Taufik Andrie, Todd Elliott