Indonesia: Suspected JAD suicide bomb attack kills one person and injures 10 others at Astana Anyar police station in Bandung, West Java, Dec. 7 /update 2

Event

A suicide bomb attack occurred at Astana Anyar police station in Bandung, West Java, at around 08:20 Dec. 7. According to reports, the assailant entered the police compound on a motorcycle and detonated explosives during the morning roll-call. The blast killed at least one police officer and injured 10 others. Authorities stated that the incident is a suspected lone-wolf attack by an individual from the terror group Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), who was angered by the country's new criminal code which was ratified by parliament Dec. 6.

Heightened security, as well as localized business and transport disruptions, are likely in the coming hours as investigations and security operations continue.

Context

The threat of terrorism from Islamic groups remains moderate in Indonesia. The police and law enforcement officials remain the main targets for terrorist groups in recent years, mainly because they are seen as the primary obstacle to their mission and a symbol of an un-Islamic state authority. In some instances, the attacks on police were carried out in revenge for the arrests of IS supporters. While Indonesia's counterterrorism squad, Densus88, has been effective at detecting terror networks and arresting suspected terrorists, lone-wolf attacks by self-radicalized individuals remain possible, given that organizations like JAD operate in a decentralized manner.

Advice

Avoid the blast site until the situation stabilizes and authorities give the all-clear. Heed the instructions of local officials. Plan for localized travel delays.