Densus 88: Only One Homemade Bomb Detonated at MAN 3 Padang, Explosive Power Was Low

The Special Detachment (Densus) 88 Anti-terror of the Indonesian National Police has revealed new facts in the investigation into the explosion at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 3 Padang, West Sumatra. Police have confirmed that the blast, which briefly caused panic at the school, originated from a homemade bomb with low explosive power. The findings were obtained after investigators examined the evidence and the student, identified by the initial R (17), who is suspected of assembling the bomb. Densus 88 Anti-terror spokesperson, Senior Commissioner Mayndra Eka Wardhana, stated that of the several homemade bombs allegedly made by R, only one 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 an area beside a classroom. Although it caused panic within the school, police confirmed there were no fatalities or injuries. The case began when school security officers discovered a suspicious object at MAN 3 Padang at around 11.30 a.m. local time. The item was immediately secured before being handed over to the police. An investigation at the scene subsequently uncovered a number of items believed to be related to bomb assembly. Police seized a black box, a black bag, a mobile phone, firecrackers, a knife, arrows, marbles, bolts, and other items now serving as evidence. Based on their investigation, officers suspect all the items belong to R. Police are also investigating the possibility of an intended target, although this information is currently based solely on the perpetrator’s initial statement. “The identity of the victim mentioned as the intended target of the planned action comes from the perpetrator’s statement and requires further investigation,” he said. It was previously reported that Densus 88 had uncovered initial facts behind the explosion at MAN 3 Koto Tangah, Padang, West Sumatra, on Tuesday, 14 July 2026. Police suspect the explosion came from a homemade bomb assembled by a 17-year-old student with the initial R. Preliminary examination results indicate the teenager learned to assemble explosives via the internet and was inspired by the incident at SMAN 72 Jakarta in 2025.