Man Suspected of Assembling Bombs in West Bandung Apprehended, Explosives Seized

A man from Parongpong, West Bandung, West Java, suspected of being a bomb maker, has been apprehended by the police. The individual, identified by the initials MSA (25), has been detained at the West Java Regional Police (Polda Jawa Barat).

In this case, MSA was involved in crimes against public security, involving the possession of firearms and explosives, and was preparing to carry out terrorist acts within a WhatsApp group known as the ‘True Crime Community’.

During a press conference, police displayed various pieces of evidence belonging to MSA. The seized items included a tank projectile mortar (8.8 cm diameter, 44 cm length), approximately 50 blank cartridges, 50 live 5.5 mm calibre bullets, and various explosive and chemical substances, including potassium chlorate, sulphur, black powder, baking soda, aluminium powder, thinner, and detonators, along with manufacturing tools such as a mortar and pestle and a digital scale.

Also seized were components for assembling firearms, including grenade casings, three firearm barrels, springs, triggers, and stainless steel cylinders, alongside complete archery equipment. Furthermore, officers confiscated backpacks, books, cement, and various supporting materials such as fuses, tweezers, and charcoal powder, as well as assorted tools including chisels, wire brushes, and soldering irons.

“MSA acted as a partisan in a WhatsApp group named True Crime Community. He was the most active member, serving as a motivator for extreme crime. Even worse, he acted as a tutorial maker for manufacturing explosives. Using his self-taught skills, he taught others in the group and actively shared posts,” said the Head of Public Relations of West Java Regional Police, Kombes Pol Hendra Rochmawan, at the West Java Regional Police Headquarters on Thursday.

Hendra revealed that the suspect did not merely possess the ability to assemble bombs and weapons; MSA also conducted explosion tests of his creations in an undisclosed location.

“He has conducted tests by detonating the bombs he assembled. For high-explosive bombs, he has performed approximately 16 trials with significant explosive power, which he recorded on video. For low-explosives, he has conducted approximately 40 trials,” he stated.