Chemical-Bomb Plot Inspired by Islamic State: Indonesian Police Five arrested over alleged plan to build complex bombs that would escalate capacity of local militants By Anita Rachman
https://www.wsj.com/articles/chemical-terror-plot-inspired-by-islamic-state-indonesian-police-say-1502873154
JAKARTA—Indonesian police are investigating an alleged terror plot by Islamic State supporters suspected of attempting to build chemical bombs for attacks at the presidential palace and other targets.
Five people have been arrested, police said, just ahead of Thursday’s planned celebrations for the anniversary of Indonesia’s independence. Police said the attacks were to be carried out by the end of this month, but didn’t say whether they were planned to disrupt the events specifically.
The use of chemicals as a terror agent would mark an escalation in the capacity of Indonesia’s militants, who have been unable to build sophisticated explosive devices in recent years. Police said the type of device planned was more complex than the pressure-cooker bombs typically used.
“We found chemicals and written documents detailing instructions on how to create chemical bombs,” said Yusri Yunus, spokesman for the police in West Java. The arrests were made Tuesday in Bandung, about 90 miles southeast of Jakarta.
Police didn’t say how close the suspects were to completing a device to disperse chemicals, nor did they identify the type of chemicals found. Mr. Yunus said the smoke from one substance “could burn the skin.”
Among those arrested were a husband and wife, police said, but the identities of the suspects haven’t been disclosed and it is not known if they have legal representation.
About 5,000 police and military personnel will be deployed at sensitive locations in Jakarta during Thursday’s celebrations, police said. Such holiday deployments are customary in Indonesia. In May, a pair of terror-related blasts killed three police officers who were stationed at a bus terminal ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
“We stay alert during the National Day celebrations,” said Prabowo Argo Yuwono, spokesman for the Jakarta police. CONTINUE AT SITE
Comments are closed.
