Homemade Bomb Explodes at MAN 3 Padang, Inspired by Jakarta School Attack

A homemade bomb exploded at State Madrasah Aliyah (MAN) 3 Padang, West Sumatra, on Tuesday (14/7). The suspected perpetrator is a student at the school with the initial R. “Yes, a student. Initial R (17),” said the spokesperson for the National Police’s Densus 88 Anti-terror unit, Senior Commissioner Mayndra Eka, when contacted by journalists. The West Sumatra Regional Police, together with Densus 88, are investigating the case. Mayndra stated that the explosion occurred only once. “It exploded once, next to a classroom. There were no casualties,” he said. Mayndra explained that the object suspected to be a homemade bomb was first discovered by school security personnel. 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,” he said. Mayndra stated that the police detained the student with the initial R. Based on the initial investigation, R is suspected of being the owner of the items. “The identity of the victim mentioned as the target of the planned action comes from the perpetrator’s statement and still requires further investigation,” he said. Based on initial statements, Mayndra said the bomb 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 these admissions are still in the process of verification and further investigation by law enforcement,” said Mayndra. Mayndra explained that the perpetrator admitted to being inspired to obtain explosives by the bomb case at SMAN 72 Jakarta. The police are currently still investigating this motive. “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. This motive is still being investigated by the investigative team,” he clarified. There were no fatalities related to the incident. R and the evidence have been secured by the police. Densus 88 and the West Sumatra Regional Police are taking statements from witnesses to further investigate the case.