INDONESIA: Security forces on highest alert after discovery of a bomb near a church in Jakarta on Good Friday

Record ID: 357419

  • Title: INDONESIA: Security forces on highest alert after discovery of a bomb near a church in Jakarta on Good Friday
  • Date: 23rd April 2011
  • Summary: SECURITY HOLDING GUNS
  • Embargoed: 8th May 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Country: Indonesia
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA5TX4GWE99AU589TIUB67RBMY5
  • Story Text: Police and military in Indonesia are on the highest security alert after a bomb was discovered near a church in the outskirts of Jakarta following a series of militant attacks in recent weeks, said National Police spokesman, Anton Bachrul Alam on Friday (April 22).
    "The status is still on high alert, all of us are on high alert," said Bachrul Alam after Friday prayers.
    Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, has seen an increase in religious intolerance in recent months, including attacks on Christians and some Muslim groups deemed deviant by militants.
    The police anti-terror unit has detained 19 people in recent days for alleged links to recent attacks, including parcel bombs that were directed at counter-terrorism officials and campaigners for religious pluralism, a suicide bombing in West Java, and the latest bomb found on Thursday (April 21).
    "The anti-terror unit have arrested 19 men over 'book bombings'," said Bachrul Alam.
    On Thursday (April 21) morning officers discovered a bomb placed 100 metres from a church in Serpong, just outside Jakarta, near a large gas pipeline, according to a police source who said it was being defused.
    "The unit discovered high explosive bomb in gas pipe line and outside Christ Cathedral in Tangerang set to be exploded at 9 a.m today by the group leader Mr. P," said Bachrul Alam.
    The country has a secular government and Good Friday celebrated by Christians is a public holiday.
    Police were still investigating the possibility that more bombs had been planted in the country.
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