Dozens Wounded in Jakarta School Mosque Attack
At least fifty-four people have been injured following multiple explosions that tore through a mosque within a high school complex in Jakarta, Indonesia. The incident occurred during Friday prayers in the Kelapa Gading area of the capital, sending shockwaves through the community.
Police officials have confirmed the area is now being treated as a crime scene, with investigations underway to determine the precise cause of the blasts. The injured, suffering from wounds ranging from minor to serious including burns, were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.
Suspected Perpetrator Identified as Teenager
In a significant development, the country's deputy house speaker, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, revealed that the suspected individual responsible for the attack is approximately 17 years old. The teenager is currently undergoing surgery, though the exact nature of his injuries or his connection to the incident remains unclear at this stage.
Jakarta city police chief Asep Edi Suhaeri detailed the immediate response, stating, "We have taken several measures such as investigating the crime scene, setting up a police line and sterilising the area." Preliminary visuals from the scene showed the green-painted mosque cordoned off with police tape, with rows of shoes left outside by worshippers, yet no immediate visible damage to the building's exterior.
Security Response and Location Details
According to deputy chief security minister Lodewijk Freidrich, who was cited by the Indonesian state news agency Antara, there were at least two explosions recorded at the mosque. The location adds a layer of complexity, as the mosque complex sits on largely navy-owned land in a crowded part of North Jakarta, an area populated by many military personnel and retired officers.
The attack has raised immediate concerns about security in places of worship and educational institutions. Military personnel were pictured standing guard at the school gates as the investigation continues to unfold, with the community left reeling from the violence that disrupted a sacred day of prayer.
