Indonesian authorities are increasingly worried about a resurgence in radicalism in the world's largest Muslim-majority country, driven in part by a new generation of jihadis inspired by Islamic State (IS).
"From the cellphone that was seized by security forces, this youth was obsessed with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi," Chief Security minister Wiranto told reporters, referring to the leader of the Middle Eastern militant group.
Wiranto, who goes by one name, said a **te was found in the attacker's backpack that said "I love al-Baghdadi" but added the suspect had ** k**wn links to existing militant networks.
There were ** serious casualties in the latest attempted attack, which happened in a church in Medan, **rthern Sumatra. Police said the attacker had attempted to stab the priest, who suffered mi**r injuries, and detonate a crude home-made bomb but failed after being restrained by other worshippers.
The suspect, identified as 17-year-old Ivan Armadi is under interrogation. Police seized bomb-making materials from his home after the attack and said he had learned to assemble a bomb through online research.
Counter-terrorism officials have said there are hundreds of IS sympathisers in Indonesia, where the vast majority of Muslims practice a moderate form of the religion. The country suffered its first IS-linked attack in January, when four people died in a gun and bomb assault.
08-29-2016, 01:01 PM
Indonesian church attacker 'obsessed' with Islamic State leader - senior minister
العرض العادي
