Witnesses questioned over minor explosions<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Police are questioning 13 people about three
\nsmall explosions that took place in the eastern parking lot of
\nthe Gelora Bung Karno sports complex during a mass prayer on
\nSunday.<\/p>\n
The blasts, which occurred almost simultaneously at about 9
\na.m. near Gate VII of the stadium and beneath a bus in the
\nparking lot, left seven people injured.<\/p>\n
"The explosions were caused by Molotov cocktails fashioned
\nfrom three energy drink bottles ... the blasts left a smell of
\nfuel. The three bottles could have exploded due to the unusually
\nhigh temperature," the Central Jakarta Police chief of
\noperational control, Comr. Paulus Waterpauw, said at the scene.<\/p>\n
Evidence gathered by police was taken to Jakarta Police
\nHeadquarters, where 10 people were questioned as witnesses to the
\nblast.<\/p>\n
"One of the witnesses reportedly saw three men he suspects
\nplanted the package carrying the energy drink bottles," Paulus
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The injured, who suffered minor burns, are reportedly members
\nof the Rodhotulsalam Muslim boarding school in Tangerang. They
\nwere identified as Budhri, 21, Jamsari, 16, Mulyadi, 19, Husam,
\n16, Supriadi, 19, Choironi, 19, and Nanang, 20.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo said the
\nexplosions were an attempt to create chaos.<\/p>\n
"The explosions were most likely an attempt to provoke the
\nmasses ... which was why I instructed my officers to remain alert
\nand to be ready for the worst," Bibit said.<\/p>\n
"I am thankful that the people here had the good sense not to
\nbe provoked."<\/p>\n
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mulyono Sulaiman said security
\npersonnel, both from the police and the military, would remain on
\nalert across the capital until the middle of May.<\/p>\n
"Security measures for Monday onward will remain the same. I
\nurge all city residents to go about their business as usual, but
\nto be careful and to be on the alert," Mulyono said on Sunday.<\/p>\n
"Should you see or find anything suspicious, do not hesitate
\nto report it to the nearest police station or to city police
\nheadquarters."<\/p>\n
Bombs<\/p>\n
In a related development, the National Police bomb squad in
\nSerang, Banten, is examining 10 bombs discovered by residents of
\nMargajaya in Cimarga district, Lebak regency. The bombs were
\nfound near Lake Pelayangan on Friday.<\/p>\n
City Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bahrul Alam said on
\nSunday that two people were arrested in Bandung in connection
\nwith the finding.<\/p>\n
"The Lebak Police have detectives and intelligence officers
\ninvestigating the case. The Serang bomb squad so far has said
\nthat the bombs were clearly made by professionals using
\nelectronic detonators," Anton said.<\/p>\n
"They also said that of the 10 bombs, six were definitely
\nlive. Police suspect the bombs were to be brought to Jakarta, but
\nwe need more evidence before we can confirm this."<\/p>\n
The two suspects arrested were transferred to Lebak Police
\noffice later in the day, Anton said.<\/p>\n
According to Anton, the bombs were discovered by an ojek
\n(motorcycle taxi) driver, Jang Seng, 35, and a resident of
\nMargajaya, Shyamlawi, 37.<\/p>\n
"The two saw an Escudo van parked near Lake Pelayangan on
\nFriday. They saw two men get out of the van carrying a heavy-
\nlooking white sack and walk toward the lake, near Jl. Raya
\nLeuwidamar," he said.<\/p>\n
"The two eyewitnesses saw the men tie a large stone to the
\nsack and drop it in the lake. The men then got into their van and
\nsped off toward the nearby town of Rangkasbitung."<\/p>\n
Anton said the two eyewitnesses were able to write down the
\nregistration number of the van.<\/p>\n
Jang Seng and Shyamlawi retrieved the sack from the lake and
\ninspected its contents, Anton said.<\/p>\n
"The two witnesses were shocked to find 10 small cylinder-like
\ncans with lots of wires. They immediately contacted us," he said.<\/p>\n
He added that the Lebak Police notified the police in Bandung,
\nwhere the van was registered.<\/p>\n
"The police there got hold of the owner of the van, who is a
\nresident of central Bandung," he said. (ylt)<\/p>",
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