Indonesia: Police station attacked in Pekanburu May 16

Event

On Wednesday, May 16, Indonesian police shot and killed four assailants at the Riau police station headquarters in Pekanburu. The assailants reportedly attacked the officers with samurai swords and wounded two police personnel, while a third police officer was killed. At least one individual was arrested after he fled the scene of the attack. Additional attacks on security forces personnel are possible in Riau province and elsewhere in Indonesia in the coming days.

Context

A string of Islamic State (IS)-inspired suicide bombings rocked Surabaya and Sidoarjo on May 13 and May 14, including attacks on three churches and on a police station which killed and wounded dozens.

Indonesia has been on high alert for months due to the extant terrorist threat. IS-inspired groups and lone-wolf assailants have carried out a series of mostly low-level attacks over the past few years. There are fears that such entities could step up attacks following the return of hundreds of Indonesians who had gone to Syria to fight with IS, following the group's recent territorial losses in the region.

Advice

Individuals in Pekanburu are advised to monitor developments to the situation, report any suspicious objects or behavior, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.

According to various Western intelligence security assessments, the threat of terrorism poses a significant security risk to individuals in Indonesia. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and intent to carry out such attacks throughout the country. Past attacks have included suicide bombings and shootings targeting public and crowded places.