Jakarta School Mosque Bombing: Teen Assembled Homemade Devices Alone, Police Say

Jakarta — Student Suspected of Mosque Bombing Built Devices at Home

Indonesian authorities said Tuesday that a 17-year-old student suspected of carrying out a bomb attack at a high school mosque in Jakarta assembled seven small improvised explosive devices at home, four of which detonated during the incident that injured dozens.

Police described the suspect as a loner who had been influenced by violent extremist material he found online but had no known ties to organized militant networks. The teenager, whose name has not been released because he is a minor, remains hospitalized after undergoing two surgeries.

How the Devices Were Made

Investigators said the devices were constructed from simple, commercially available parts, including 6-volt batteries, plastic jerry cans, remote controls and sharp nails intended to cause injury. Henik Maryanto of the police mobile brigade unit said officers recovered three unexploded but active devices and secured them safely.

“We have secured the remaining active bombs that failed to explode,” Maryanto said.

Evidence of Ideological Influence

Police also recovered a toy submachine gun bearing inscriptions that resembled white supremacist slogans and the names of international extremists whose attacks have inspired copycat violence elsewhere. Mayndra Eka Wardhana, spokesperson for the elite counterterrorism squad, said those symbols appear to have motivated the suspect but showed no operational link to transnational terrorist organizations.

“Those symbols and names are violent figures and ideology that inspired the teenager to copycat, but there is no connection between the suspect and any terrorist network,” Wardhana told reporters.

Potential Charges and Victims

Authorities said the suspect likely cannot be charged under Indonesia’s strict anti-terrorism statute because of the apparent lack of organizational ties, but he could face charges of premeditated serious assault that carry up to 12 years in prison.

Officials reported that 96 people were injured in the blasts. More than half of the students suffered some degree of hearing loss, including four cases described as sudden deafness. Eleven students remained hospitalized as of Tuesday, with one in critical condition due to severe burns.

Context: Police investigators continue to examine digital devices and other evidence to better understand the suspect’s motives and whether any further risks remain.