Densus 88 Investigates Explosion at MAN 3 Padang School

The West Sumatra Regional Police, together with the National Police’s Special Detachment (Densus) 88 Anti-terror unit, are investigating an explosion at MAN 3 in Balai Gadang Village, Koto Tengah District, Padang City, on Tuesday (14/7) at approximately 11.30 WIB. Densus 88 spokesperson Senior Commissioner Mayndra Eka Wardhana explained that the item, suspected to be a homemade bomb, was first discovered by a school security officer. The school immediately 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,” Senior Commissioner Mayndra said in a statement. After arriving and conducting a search, the police carried out initial handling of a student with the initial R, 17. R was taken into custody because, based on the preliminary investigation, he 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. 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 investigative team,” said Senior Commissioner Mayndra. According to him, there were no fatalities or injuries in this incident. The items have currently been secured by the police. He further stated that, based on the suspect’s initial statement, the device was allegedly assembled independently using materials obtained online and made at home without the parents’ knowledge. The perpetrator also admitted to having joined several online groups discussing the manufacture of explosives. “All of these statements are still in the process of verification and further investigation by law enforcement officials,” Senior Commissioner Mayndra revealed. Densus 88 and the West Sumatra Regional Police are continuing to investigate the case by taking statements from witnesses.