Suspected Mortar Found at TMII Pavilion, Bomb Squad Evacuates

A cleaning worker found a suspected mortar whilst tidying the area at the West Sumatra Pavilion, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), East Jakarta. The Gegana bomb squad from Polda Metro Jaya intervened to evacuate the object. “When witness 1 was cleaning around the crime scene, they discovered a suspected mortar at the location,” said Kasi Humas Polres Metro Jaktim AKP Made Budi in a statement on Wednesday (1/7). The witness then reported the discovery to TMII management and the Cipayung Police. Officers led by Iptu Nurman Yusuf immediately went to the scene. “Upon arriving at the scene, it was confirmed that one suspected mortar unit had been found,” he said. At around 2.00 p.m. Western Indonesia Time, six personnel from the Polda Metro Jaya Gegana Team and Inafis from Polres Metro Jaktim arrived at the location to evacuate the mortar. By 2.38 p.m., the situation was declared conducive. “At around 2.15 p.m., the Polda Metro Jaya Gegana Team, comprising six personnel led by Ipda Yuda, arrived at the West Sumatra Pavilion TMII and secured the one suspected mortar unit. At 2.38 p.m., the operation concluded and the situation was conducive,” he stated. Separately, TMII Corporate Communication representative Emerensia Ken Elsa said the mortar found was not dangerous. The mortar was discovered in a closed-off area that had previously been out of sight. “We can confirm that the object found is suspected to be an old, abandoned mortar and is not dangerous. The object was in an area obscured by dense trees, so it was not previously visible,” said Elsa. Elsa conveyed that as a precautionary measure and in accordance with security procedures, her team had coordinated with the police. This was to ensure the object was examined and handled, prioritising visitor safety and security. “Based on the results of the on-site handling, the object was successfully secured by the Gegana Team and the TMII area is currently safe and continues to operate normally,” she revealed. “TMII always prioritises visitor safety and security and will continue to coordinate with the authorities in any situation requiring special handling,” Elsa added.