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IS-linked family responsible for Surabaya bombings, police say
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K9 police examine the scene following attacks outside the Surabaya Pentecostal Church (GPPS) in Surabaya, East Java, on May 13.
A series of blasts struck three churches in Indonesia on Sunday, killing at least 13 people and wounding dozens in the deadliest attack in years in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. (AFP/Juni Kriswanto)
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uicide bombers in the church attacks in Surabaya on Sunday are believed to be a family affiliated with Jamaah Anshar Daulah (JAD), an extremist group affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) network, the National Police chief said.
A series of blasts struck three churches across the provincial capital of Surabaya at around 7 a.m., leaving at least 13 dead and over 40 others wounded.
“We have identified the bombers. It is highly likely that they shared a familial background,” National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said at a press conference broadcast live from Surabaya.
According to Tito, the father in the family was the bomber at the Surabaya Pentecostal Church (GPPS) on Jl. Raya Arjuna, while two male teenagers of the family carried out another suicide bombing on a motorcycle at Saint Mary Immaculate (SMTB) Catholic Church of Surabaya located on Jl. Ngagel Madya in Gubeng. The mother of the family and her two young girls allegedly carried out the mission at the Diponegoro Indonesian Christian Church (GKI). Tito said the family was among IS-affiliated Indonesians deported by the Turkish government last year.
“Before proceeding to the GPPS, the father allegedly dropped off his wife and two daughters, aged 9 and 12,” Tito said.
According to preliminary investigations, the father allegedly carried the largest explosive and strapped several smaller explosives to his waist.
The IS group has claimed responsibility for the suicide attacks via its propaganda agency Amaq.
"Three martyrdom attacks killed 11 and wounded at least 41 among church guards and Christians," it said via the Telegram messaging app. (swd)
