JAKARTA: Indonesian police have identified a 17-year-old student as the suspect in Friday’s explosion at State Senior High School (SMAN) 72 in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, which injured more than 50 people and disrupted Friday prayers.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said Jakarta Police and the Densus 88 counterterrorism unit were investigating the suspect’s background and home.
“Preliminary information shows the suspect is part of the school community. That’s what we know for now, and investigations are ongoing,” he said in a statement on Friday evening.
He said the suspect and another victim were undergoing surgery, while several of the 54 injured, mostly students, had been discharged.
Investigators are examining a replica rifle inscribed with phrases “Welcome to Hell”, and “For Agartha”, a reference to a mythical underground world, along with a toy revolver, a homemade bomb and its remote detonator.
Police are also looking into reports that the suspect had been bullied by classmates.
State news agency Antara reported that a Year 11 student claimed the bomb was brought by a classmate who was frequently bullied, saying three homemade bombs were planted and two detonated, though police have not confirmed the account.
House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, who visited victims at a hospital on the same day, said the suspect is a 17-year-old student.
State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said President Prabowo Subianto had been informed and had ordered that full care be provided to the victims, adding that the incident serves as a reminder to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity in schools and homes.
Friday prayers at the school mosque, located inside an Indonesian Navy housing complex, were thrown into chaos by the blast, which sent smoke through the hall and worshippers fleeing, local media reported.
Navy personnel helped evacuate victims to hospital, its spokesperson Rear Admiral Tunggul said.
Teacher Budi Laksono said the Friday sermon had just begun when the explosion hit at 12.30 pm local time, according to news outlet Berita Satu. – BERNAMA
