Churches target of bomb threat

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: A short message service (SMS) sent to Suara Timor radio station in Kupang on Wednesday morning threatened to bomb 31 churches in the city on New Year's Eve.

The message was sent by somebody claiming to be a leader of the Jamaah Islamiyah regional terrorist group. An official at the station, Silvester Sega, immediately reported the threat to the police.

"We repeatedly tried to call back the number, but the phone was turned off so we reported it to the police," Silvester said on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the East Nusa Tenggara Police, Comr. Marthen Radja, said police would increase security in Kupang ahead of New Year's celebrations.

"People have no reason to panic because the police are working to secure strategic areas, including places of worship," Marthen said. -- JP