Densus 88: Only One Homemade Bomb Detonated at MAN 3 Padang, Explosive Power Was Low
Jakarta, VIVA – The Police Special Detachment (Densus) 88 Antiterror has revealed new findings in its investigation into the explosion at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 3 Padang, West Sumatra.
Police have confirmed that the blast, which alarmed the school community, came from a homemade bomb with low explosive force.
The finding came after investigators examined the items of evidence and questioned a 17-year-old student with the initial R, who is suspected of assembling the bomb.
Spokesman for Densus 88 Antiterror, Police Grand Commissioner Mayndra Eka Wardhana, said that of the several homemade bombs allegedly made by R, only one had detonated.
“Of the several homemade bombs made, only one exploded (low explosive) beside the classroom,” he said on Wednesday, 15 July 2026.
The explosion occurred in the area next to a classroom. Although it triggered panic within the school, police confirmed there were no fatalities or injuries.
The case began when school security officers found a suspicious object on the premises of MAN 3 Padang at around 11.30 local time. The object was immediately secured before being handed over to the police.
An examination at the scene then revealed a number of items suspected to be related to the bomb-making. Police seized a black box, a black bag, a mobile phone, firecrackers, a knife, arrows, marbles, bolts and various other items now held as evidence.
Based on their inquiries, investigators suspect all of the items belonged to R. Police are still probing the alleged existence of an intended target, although this information so far rests only on the suspect’s initial statement.
“The identity of the victim cited as the target of the planned action came from the suspect’s testimony and still requires further examination,” he said.
As previously reported, Densus 88 Antiterror revealed initial facts behind the explosion at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 3 Koto Tangah, Padang, West Sumatra, on Tuesday, 14 July 2026.
Police suspect the explosion came from a homemade bomb assembled by a student with the initial R, aged 17. Based on preliminary questioning, the teenager admitted to learning how to assemble explosives through the internet and was inspired by the explosion at SMAN 72 Jakarta in 2025.
Spokesman for Densus 88 Antiterror, Police Grand Commissioner Mayndra Eka Wardhana, said the investigation began after school security officers found a suspicious object later suspected to be linked to the source of the blast.