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Attack on North Sumatra Police headquarters kills one officer
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National Police spokesperson Inps. Gen. Setyo Wasisto speaking to reporters on June 24. (Kompas.com/Robertus Belarminus)
T
wo men attacked police on guard at a security checkpoint at the North Sumatra Police headquarters early Sunday morning, just before Idul Fitri, leaving one officer dead.
The perpetrators stabbed and killed Adj. First Insp. Martua Singalinging while he was taking a rest inside the checkpoint.
“The two perpetrators climbed the fence and then attacked a police officer at 3 a.m. The officer was taking a rest inside Checkpoint 3 located at the exit of the North Sumatra Police headquarters,” National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Setyo Wasisto told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
In total, there were four officers on guard when the attack happened. Two of the officers were doing a patrol, one stayed outside the checkpoint and another one stayed inside for a rest, Setyo added.
One of the officers, Brig. E. Ginting immediately alerted other checkpoints where some Mobile Brigade (Brimob) unit members were stationed.
However, despite a warning shot fired by a Brimob member, the perpetrators did not stop attacking the officers and then burning a checkpoint while shouting “Takbir!” (Praise to Allah!)
The Brimob officers later shot them, killing one while putting the other in hospital in critical condition.
The police are still investigating whether the two were linked to three terrorism suspects who were arrested for planning to attack a police station in Medan earlier this month.
“We presumed that they are the followers of Bahrun Naim, who suggests carrying out attacks using anything people have -- bombs, firearms, or knives,” Setyo said. (ecn/ipa)
