Student in Padang Bombing Admits to Being Inspired by Jakarta School Attack
The Indonesian National Police’s anti-terror unit, Detasemen Khusus (Densus) 88, has revealed initial findings behind an explosion at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 3 Koto Tangah in Padang, West Sumatra, on Tuesday, 14 July 2026. Police suspect the blast originated from a homemade bomb assembled by a 17-year-old student, identified by the initial R. Preliminary examinations indicate the teenager learned to assemble explosives via the internet and was inspired by the 2025 bombing at SMAN 72 Jakarta.
Densus 88 spokesperson, Commissioner Mayndra Eka Wardhana, stated that the investigation began after school security officers discovered a suspicious object believed to be linked to the source of the explosion. During the investigation, officers seized several items from the student. “From the initial examination, officers secured several items, including a black box, a black bag, a mobile phone, firecrackers, a knife, arrows, marbles, bolts, and several other items,” Mayndra said in a statement on Tuesday, 14 July 2026.
According to Mayndra, initial findings also suggest the explosive materials were assembled by the perpetrator at home without his parents’ knowledge. Investigators obtained a confession that the perpetrator learned how to assemble explosives online and used the SMAN 72 Jakarta bombing case as a reference. “The perpetrator also admitted to studying bomb-making online and was inspired by the bomb incident at SMAN 72 Jakarta in 2025. This motive is still being investigated further by the investigation team,” he said.
Police are also investigating the perpetrator’s admission of having joined several online groups discussing the manufacture of explosives. “All of these confessions are still in the process of verification and further investigation by law enforcement officials,” Mayndra added. Densus 88 emphasised that the investigation is ongoing and a definitive motive for the incident cannot yet be concluded. No casualties were reported in the explosion. Police are continuing to examine several witnesses and analyse the evidence seized to fully uncover the sequence of events surrounding the blast at the school.