he North Sumatra Police have instructed all police precinct chiefs and working unit heads within their command to beef up security and increase alertness following a suicide bomb attack in Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta, on Wednesday.
The instruction was delivered by North Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Rycko Amelza Dahniel in response to the attack, which killed five people, three of whom were police officers, and injured 10 others.
Rycko said among instructions that must be followed by uniformed police officers on duty was that they were not allowed to patrol alone.
(Read also: East Jakarta suicide blasts likely linked to IS: Police)
Rycko said he had instructed the deployment of additional personnel in front of the headquarters of each command to anticipate bomb attacks.
“I’ve instructed all personnel and command headquarters to increase security and alertness,” he told journalists in Medan on Thursday.
National Police spokesperson Awi Setiono said the Kampung Melayu suicide bomb attack was likely linked to the Islamic State movement.
As a preventive measure, Rycko also called for patrols in every house of worship. He urged all societal elements to participate in securing their neighborhoods.
“We hope all people can participate actively, providing information to the police, once they encounter newcomers displaying suspicious activity so we can take further steps.” (ebf)
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