MAN 3 Padang Student Learnt to Assemble Bomb via Internet

The National Police’s Densus 88 Anti-terror unit has revealed that the suspected perpetrator in the explosion case at MAN 3 Padang, West Sumatra, on Tuesday is a 17-year-old student. Densus 88 Anti-terror spokesperson Senior Commissioner Mayndra Eka Wardhana stated that the incident began when school security officers discovered an item suspected to be a homemade bomb on the school grounds.

From the initial examination at the scene, 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 objects. Following the discovery, the school reported the matter to the police. Officers subsequently detained a student with the initial R (17), who preliminary investigations suggest is the owner of the items.

During questioning, R admitted to learning how to make explosive materials through online media or the internet and was inspired by the bomb incident at SMA Negeri 72 Jakarta in 2025. The suspected perpetrator also admitted to having joined several online groups that discuss the manufacture of explosives. All of these admissions are still in the process of verification and further investigation by law enforcement officials.

In addition, the police are still investigating the identity of the party suspected to be the target of the planned action. Mayndra confirmed there were no fatalities or injuries in the explosion incident. All items believed to belong to the suspected perpetrator have been secured as evidence for further investigation.