In Surabaya, Indonesia, a teenager’s plot to bomb churches with deadly “Mother of Satan” explosives was foiled by authorities. The 19-year-old, known only by his initials H.O.K., was arrested on July 31 while attempting to dispose of incriminating evidence. The arrest took place at 7:15 p.m. in Batu City, East Java.
H.O.K., a high school student and an online member of the Philippines-based Dawlah Islamiyah, an affiliate of ISIS, planned suicide bombings targeting two Christian churches in Malang Regency. Triaceton Triperoxide (TATP) explosives are notoriously volatile and powerful. Anti-Terror Special Detachment 88 Spokesperson Aswin Siregar confirmed these details during a press conference in Jakarta.
“H.O.K. is a supporter of ISIS or Dawlah Islamiyah,” said Siregar. The teenager’s radicalization began through various websites and social media platforms promoting Dawlah Islamiyah’s propaganda, which fueled his resolve to execute the bombings. His preparations included purchasing explosives with savings from his school allowances.
The police also arrested H.O.K.’s parents and several others for questioning. His parents were apprehended while traveling by train to Jakarta, dispelling earlier reports of their arrest at a rented house in Batu City. “This also confirms that the suspect’s parents carried no explosives or bombs,” Siregar clarified.
Further investigation is ongoing to uncover any additional ISIS support networks connected to H.O.K. The teen’s family, originally from Jakarta, had intermittently rented a house in Batu City over recent years. Residents described the family as reclusive, seldom interacting with their neighbors.
Indonesia, a nation where 83.3% of the population identifies as Muslim and 11.43% as Christian, faces ongoing challenges from radical Islamic groups. The country ranked 42nd on the 2024 World Watch List for the persecution of Christians, reflecting the increasing conservatism and risks posed by extremist factions.
The thwarting of this plot highlights the persistent threat of terrorism in Indonesia and the critical role of vigilant security forces in protecting vulnerable communities.
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