Densus 88 Arrests Suspected Terrorist in Tasikmalaya Linked to Dadaha Explosion
The Special Detachment (Densus) 88 Anti-terror unit of the Indonesian National Police has arrested a suspected terrorist with the initials AAS on Jalan Bebedilan, Gunung Koneng, Cilembang Village, Cihideung District, Tasikmalaya City, West Java. The arrest on Sunday (12/7) was followed by a search of the suspect’s rented house. Observations at the scene showed several police personnel armed with long-barrelled weapons conducting tight security around the search area. Officers in uniform and plainclothes were on standby to ensure residents did not approach the sterilised zone.
A local resident, Maman (50), confirmed that AAS was his neighbour who had recently moved to the area. According to him, AAS was known as a reserved person who rarely socialised with residents, unlike his wife. AAS worked daily as an iced tea seller. ‘The resident who was arrested has the initials AAS, he lives with his wife. A few days ago, there was indeed an explosion in the Dadaha Sports Complex area on Saturday (11/7) at around 11 p.m. Western Indonesia Time,’ said Maman on Sunday.
Information regarding AAS’s connection to the explosion in Dadaha was also corroborated by Wawan (55), a resident of Lingkar Dadaha. He recounted that the incident stemmed from a dispute between a corn seller, S, and a tahu gejrot seller, E, who was suspected of being intoxicated. The situation escalated when AAS, a relative of S, arrived and scolded E. As residents attempted to break up the fight, a loud explosion suddenly came from behind the vendor’s stall, causing panic among visitors and traders.
Following the explosion, the Tasikmalaya City Police identification unit immediately secured the location. The Criminal Investigation Unit reportedly found several suspicious materials at the Dadaha stall area, which are strongly suspected to be raw materials for an assembled bomb. As of the time of reporting, the police are still investigating the network and motives of the suspected terrorist AAS. The search location in Cilembang remains under strict security supervision.