East Java police secure mosque blast site as investigation continues
Security forces moved swiftly to secure the site, deploying joint teams from local police and the provincial command, including identification, forensic, bomb disposal, and criminal investigation units.
Authorities said the area has been secured, with continued sterilization efforts to ensure safety, while preliminary findings indicate the blast caused no casualties.
Police urged residents in the nearby housing complex to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could trigger public anxiety or unrest.
They said routine activities during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan could continue as usual, assuring the public of an ongoing security presence following the incident.
In connection with the blast, East Java Police found several chemical substances during a crime scene investigation at the mosque in the Pesona Raya Regency housing complex in Patrang on Tuesday.
“We must proceed carefully and not rush the investigation to ensure accurate results, as there are indications of chemical materials at the site,” Nanang said at a press conference in Jember.
He added that collecting evidence requires specialized equipment and precision, given the suspected presence of hazardous substances at the location.
Officers will remain stationed at the mosque until conditions are fully stable and no longer require heightened security measures, Nanang said.
Police lines will be removed once the investigation is completed, allowing the mosque to reopen for worship as Ramadan approaches its final days.
A local resident, Teguh Muharjono, said the explosion occurred near the end of evening tarawih prayers, with the imam continuing the final prayer cycle.
After prayers ended, worshippers rushed out as the blast was traced to the men’s ablution area, he said.
A metal box believed to be the source of the explosion was typically used to store sarongs, according to the witness account.
Some residents remain traumatized and hesitant to return to the mosque following the Monday night blast, hoping conditions normalize ahead of Eid al-Fitr.
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Translator: Zumrotun S, Rahmad Nasution