he police have suggested the perpetrators of the deadly twin bombings in East Jakarta are linked to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group and could have been inspired by recent terror attacks in other parts of the world.
Analysts have warned the public to be vigilant given reports that hundreds of Indonesians have flocked abroad to fight for the militant group and could pose threats when they return. Authorities have repeatedly expressed concerns about the resurgence of radicalism and the potential existence of a new generation of radical groups inspired by IS.
“It [Wednesday’s attack] is most likely linked with IS, but we are still investigating its possible connection to the international IS network,” National Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Awi Setiono said on Thursday.
“Following the attacks in Manchester and Marawi, [anti-terror squad] Densus 88 warned of possible attacks [in Indonesia], but we did not know when and where they would occur,” he said, referring to recent attacks in the United Kingdom and the Philippines, adding that the Jakarta attackers targeted police officers.
The bombings at the busy Kampung Melayu bus terminal on Wednesday evening killed three police officers and injured 10. The two suicide bombers also died instantly.
It happened only four days after President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo boasted of the success of Indonesia’s deradicalization efforts during a the Riyadh Summit, which was attended by world Islamic leaders and United States President Donald Trump.
Sidney Jones, the director of the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC), said more attacks could be being prepared.
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