Indonesia vows ‘war’ after haze investigators held

This handout photo available by the Forestry Ministry on September 5, 2016 and taken on September 2, 2016 shows a burnt forest concession area belonging to the PT. Andika Permata Sawit Lestari (APSL) in Rokan Hulu, Riau province. -AFP/Forestry Ministry

JAKARTA: Indonesia vowed Wednesday to “wage war” against illegal land burning after officials were detained and faced death threats from a mob allegedly trying to stop them investigating smog-belching fires.

The incident, which saw seven investigators held by a 100-strong gang allegedly hired by a palm oil company, has highlighted the difficulty faced in tackling the raging blazes that cloak Southeast Asia with haze every year.