Indonesian authorities have identified a 17-year-old boy as the suspected perpetrator of a shocking attack that rocked a mosque at a high school during Friday prayers in Jakarta, injuring at least 54 people, most of whom were students. The incident occurred at SMA 72, a state high school located within a navy compound in the northern Kelapa Gading neighborhood of the capital.
Witnesses reported hearing at least two loud explosions around midday, just as the sermon began, both inside and outside the mosque. The blasts sent students and others fleeing in panic as gray smoke filled the air. The police have since recovered a toy submachine gun belonging to the suspect, inscribed with what appeared to be white supremacist slogans. However, authorities have dismissed speculation that the explosions were part of a terror attack.
Investigation and Suspect Details
Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad revealed that the suspect, a male student, was undergoing surgery following the incident. National Police Chief Listyo Sigit confirmed that the suspect was one of two students receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the blasts.
“Our personnel are currently conducting an in-depth investigation to determine the suspect’s identity and the environment where he lives, including his house and others,” Sigit stated during a news conference at the presidential palace in Jakarta.
References to Christchurch Attack
Investigators are probing the motive behind the attack, including how the suspect managed to assemble a toy submachine gun with inscriptions such as “14 words. For Agartha,” and “Brenton Tarrant: Welcome to hell.” The phrase “14 words” is commonly associated with a white supremacist slogan, while Brenton Tarrant was responsible for a 2019 mass shooting at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, which resulted in 51 fatalities and numerous injuries.
“We discovered the weapon was a toy gun with specific markings, which we are also investigating to understand the motive, including how he assembled it and carried out the attack,” Sigit elaborated.
Impact and Community Response
The majority of the victims suffered burns and injuries from flying glass, with the blasts originating near the mosque’s loudspeaker, according to Jakarta Police Chief Asep Edi Suheri. He cautioned against premature conclusions that the incident was a terror attack before the investigation is complete.
“We are still investigating the possibility that bullying was a factor that motivated the suspect to carry out the attack,” Jakarta Police’s spokesperson Budi Hermanto informed reporters.
Hermanto also revised the number of injured to 54, noting that most victims were close to the loudspeaker and suffered hearing loss from the explosions. Approximately 33 students remain hospitalized with burns and wounds from blast fragments.
Families Gather at Hospitals
Videos circulating on social media show students in school uniforms fleeing across the school’s basketball court, some covering their ears to shield themselves from the noise. Shocked relatives have gathered at Yarsi and Cempaka Putih hospitals, seeking information about their loved ones. Parents described their children’s injuries, which included wounds from sharp nails and debris.
Historical Context and Security Measures
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, has a history of militant attacks. The most significant occurred in 2002 when al-Qaida orchestrated bombings on Bali, killing 202 people, mostly tourists. In the years since, smaller attacks have targeted government and police facilities.
Friday’s incident is not the first mosque attack in Indonesia. In 2011, a militant detonated a bomb in a mosque at a police compound in Cirebon, injuring 30 people. More recently, in December 2022, a bombmaker carried out a suicide attack at a police station in West Java, resulting in one death and multiple injuries.
Despite these incidents, Indonesia has experienced a “zero attack phenomenon” since 2023, attributed to effective government measures. Security experts commend the authorities for maintaining stability and urge the public to remain calm.
As the investigation continues, authorities are focused on uncovering the full details of the suspect’s motivations and ensuring the safety of the community. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in combating extremism and maintaining peace in the region.
