Strong bomb blast rocks Jl. Sabang
Strong bomb blast rocks Jl. Sabang
JAKARTA (JP): A strong bomb blast extensively damaged the
vacant three-story Ramayana department store and shattered
windows and billboards of nearby shops on Jl. H. Agus Salim in
Central Jakarta on Saturday morning.
Besides leaving a big hole in the ground, the blast also
damaged a Colt van parked in front of the store. The car belonged
to a night security guard, Djoni, who was on duty in the area.
No fatalities were reported. The street, popularly known as
Jl. Sabang, was deserted when the explosion happened at 5 a.m.
Total losses have yet to be estimated. The lower part of the
department store, which stopped operation after being damaged
during last year's mid-May riot, was extensively damaged.
By late last night, police had yet to name anybody as a
suspect in the blast, which is the first act of terror in Jakarta
this year.
Police say the powerful explosion, which could be heard within
a one-kilometer radius, came from one of three bombs planted at
different spots at the location by a group of unidentified men
several minutes earlier.
Head of the Jakarta Police detectives, Col. Alex Bambang
Riatmojo, who rushed to the site, told reporters that two of the
bombs failed to detonate.
None of the police officers at the scene were willing to give
out detailed information about the explosive device.
According to Bambang, the three bombs were similar in size:
round, 10 centimeters in diameter and five centimeters high. Each
of them had a fuse.
But a security officer revealed that the explosives, believed
to be devices which were professionally handmade, were carefully
packed in big bottles.
"The looked like Molotov cocktails with a fuse on top. But it
probably had TNT inside," the source said, referring to the
flammable toxic compound trinitrotoluene.
His opinion was backed up by head of the National Police
detectives, Maj. Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, who strongly believes the
device was assembled by a professional.
"At least this guy understands and knows how to use it," said
Da'i, adding that no party had claimed responsibility for
Saturday's blast.
Feroza jeep
According to security officers, a group of at least six men
arrived at the site on three motorcycles, in a red Feroza jeep
and a white Kijang van.
Quoting four witnesses, including two security guards, head of
the Central Jakarta Police Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said the
culprits placed the devices in front of three business premises
and left the site in their vehicles.
Eyewitness Adi Surahman, a parking attendant, said he saw six
men arrive on three motorcycles at about 4:50 a.m. and put
packages in front of the vacant department store, the neighboring
Galeri FS clothing store and Gardena restaurant.
He said the first bomb outside Ramayana exploded shortly after
it was ignited by the men.
Adi said he could not identify the men because they were
wearing full-face helmets.
According to Iman, the police have a physical description of
the suspects.
The reason behind the blast is as yet unknown. Some speculate
it may be an attempt to spark fresh fears among Jakartans. Others
say it could be a local problem.
KT. Adnani, 60, owner of Srivishnu's tailor, told reporters
that the blast could have something to do with a 14-year-old
dispute between state Bank Dagang Negara and the owners of the
plot where the three business premises stand.
"But let the police investigate this case," he said.
On Dec. 11, the city was shocked by an explosion in an
automated teller machine booth of Bank Central Asia at Atrium
Senen shopping center in Central Jakarta, damaging the windows,
ceiling and walls. There were no casualties and police have made
no arrests.
Last Wednesday, an explosion on a vacant plot on Jl. Jend.
Sudirman in South Jakarta stunned motorists and employees in the
Central Business District and police officers.
Both blasts remain a mystery. (ivy/emf/bsr)