Teen carried seven explosives in Jakarta school blasts

The scene inside the mosque following last Friday’s blasts. (Bernama pic)

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s counter-terrorism unit Densus 88 has revealed that the suspect involved in the explosions at State Senior High School (SMAN) 72 in North Jakarta last Friday was carrying seven explosive devices.

Densus 88 spokesperson Adjunct Senior Commissioner Mayndra Eka Wardhana told local news outlet Kompas that two bombs went off at the first crime scene, the school’s mosque.

“Two more detonated at the school’s reading park and recycling bank, while three did not explode,” he added.

The unit has also identified the types of explosives used but declined to provide further details, as the matter falls under the jurisdiction of Jakarta Police and its anti-bomb unit.

The explosions occurred around 12.15 pm local time during Friday prayers at the school in the Kelapa Gading area, north Jakarta.

Witnesses said the first blast was heard during the sermon, followed by a second explosion from a different direction.

The incident injured nearly 100 people, with victims suffering burns and shrapnel wounds, and sparked panic among students and the nearby community.

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said on Saturday that a 17-year-old suspect, who is also a student at the school, underwent surgery on his head and remains under police guard in the intensive care unit.