BNPT Holds State Defence Camp to Prevent Terrorism, Targeting Junior High to University Students

The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) has held a state defence camp as an effort to build preparedness among the younger generation in facing the threat of terrorism in the digital era. The event was a collaboration with Jaga Tunas Indonesia in Garut, West Java, from 8 to 10 July 2026. It was conducted in response to the development of digital technology that has changed the pattern of spreading radical ideologies and terrorism through social media and even online games. The activity, which was attended by 100 students from across Garut Regency, provided training on national insight, state defence, digital literacy, social media security, and environmental awareness. Participants were also involved in various social actions, such as free health checks, distribution of basic food packages, and tree planting in watershed areas. BNPT Head Eddy Hartono stated that school and university students are a group that needs to be equipped with strengthened digital literacy, national insight, and critical thinking skills. He noted that they are potential targets for the spread of radical ideologies via the internet. ‘The reason participants range from junior high school, senior high school, to university students is because in this digital era, the targets of terrorist network recruitment are children and youths, so we are building preparedness,’ he explained in a written statement on Saturday (11/7/2026). According to him, the digital space has become an effective means for terrorist groups to carry out three main activities: propaganda, recruitment, and fundraising. Eddy also reminded that the recruitment process is now often carried out covertly and in stages. ‘These three activities are carried out by terrorist networks in the digital space, both on social media and in online games,’ he said. On the same occasion, Garut Regent Abdusy Syakur Amin emphasised that the younger generation has a strategic role in maintaining national unity amidst the various challenges developing in the digital space. ‘The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is not a legacy that came about by itself. The NKRI is a manifestation of the commitment, seriousness, and noble agreement of the nation’s resilient founders from various educational, linguistic, and religious backgrounds. The task of the younger generation is to preserve it,’ the Regent asserted. Through this activity, BNPT encourages the emergence of a young generation that is not only adept at utilising digital technology but also resilient against the spread of radical ideologies, intolerance, and violence-based extremism that can lead to terrorism.