The number of terrorism suspects detained by Indonesian police after the attack on the Minister for Coordination of Politics, Law and Security of the country, Viranto, who received two stab wounds, increased to 36 people, the local Medcom portal reports citing the national police representative Mohammad Iqbal.
Indonesia law enforcement agencies reportedly detained at least 27 terrorist suspects on Wednesday.
According to Iqbal, terrorists were detained in different parts of the country, in particular, in Bali, in Manado, East Java, Central Java, Pandeglang, Cirebon and Poso. During the operation, various evidence of their illegal activities was also seized.
According to Iqbal, the suspects talked to each other through the WhatsApp application, where they discussed their plans and “studied how to make a bomb on their own online”. According to police, they did not plan attacks during the upcoming inauguration of President Joko Widodo, which is scheduled for October 20. They prepared attacks on religious places and police stations, Iqbal added.
Earlier, a representative of the national police, Dedi Prasetio, said that a number of terrorist attacks, including involving suicide bombers, were prevented in the country. According to police, the militants were allegedly behind the militants of the Jemaa Ansharut Daula (JAD) group associated with the Islamic State terrorist group*.
Following the attack on the minister in Jakarta and other cities in Indonesia, the security of government buildings and the personal protection of government leaders, as well as patrolling and general security at public events involving senior officials and government members, were strengthened. Indonesian President Vidodo instructed law enforcement agencies to investigate the attempt as soon as possible.
* – terrorist organization banned in Russia.