Densus 88 Investigates Explosion at MAN 3 Padang, One Student Arrested

The Special Detachment (Densus) 88 Anti-terror of the Indonesian National Police has intervened to investigate an explosion at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 3 in Balai Gadang, Koto Tengah, Padang, West Sumatra.

Densus 88 spokesperson, Senior Commissioner Mayndra Eka Wardhana, explained that the explosion occurred around 11:30 WIB. School security personnel subsequently discovered an item suspected to be a homemade bomb and reported the incident to the police.

“From the initial examination, officers secured a number of items, including a black box, a black bag, a mobile phone, firecrackers, a knife, arrows, marbles, bolts, and several other items,” he said in a written statement.

He explained that the police then detained a student with the initials R (17), who is suspected of being the owner of the items.

“The identity of the victim referred to as the target of the planned action comes from the perpetrator’s statement and still requires further investigation,” he said.

Furthermore, Mayndra stated that the perpetrator learned how to make explosives online, inspired by a similar act at SMAN 72 Jakarta.

“The perpetrator also admitted to learning how to make explosives online and was inspired by the bomb incident at SMA Negeri 72 Jakarta in 2025. The motive is still being investigated by the Investigation Team,” he said.

Mayndra confirmed there were no fatalities or injuries in this incident. He stated that the dangerous items have also been secured by the police.

He added that from the initial examination, the perpetrator assembled the explosive device himself using materials obtained online and made it at home without his parents’ knowledge.

“The perpetrator admitted to having joined several online groups discussing the manufacture of explosives. All of these admissions are still in the process of verification and further investigation by law enforcement officials,” he said.