East Java Police Chief Assures Situation Under Control Following Mosque Explosion in Jember

Police officers immediately deployed rapidly to secure and manage the incident location, with response efforts supported by a combined team from Jember Police Station and East Java Regional Police, including identification unit, Forensic Laboratory, bomb disposal team, and investigators from the General Criminal Investigation Directorate, the official stated during a press conference at Jember Police Station on Tuesday.

According to the official, the current situation at the location is under control and officers are continuing to sterilise the area to ensure it is completely safe. Preliminary investigation results indicate there were no fatalities in the incident.

“We urge residents in Pesona Regency housing to remain calm and not be provoked by unverified information. We also remind the public not to spread unverified information that could cause unrest,” the official said.

The official invited the public to carry out routine Ramadhan activities as usual, as police would continue to be present to guarantee public security following the explosion.

“Police will be stationed at Pesona Grand Mosque until conditions are completely conducive and no longer require security. We will ensure the situation returns to normal,” the official stated.

The official explained that police would remove the cordon after investigation at the incident location is completed, allowing the mosque to be used again for worship, as it was approaching the end of Ramadhan.

A resident near the mosque, Teguh Muharjono, said the explosion occurred as the taraweeh prayer was concluding, with the imam still leading the final rakah as one was missing.

“When the prayer finished, congregants immediately rushed out of the mosque and the explosion source was near the male ablution area. The iron box allegedly at the source of the explosion is usually used to store sarongs,” he said.

Some residents reportedly remained traumatised about praying at the mosque following the explosion on Monday evening, hoping the situation would stabilise as Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri approached.