President Widodo: The East Jakarta terrorist attack will not undermine national unity

In recent months, Indonesia has been alerted to the presence of militants inspired by the Islamic State. Identified one of the two terrorists who coordinated the attack. Two low cots rudimentary devices used. Man hunt for the network of terrorist sleeper cells.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has called the Indonesian people to the national unity after the terrorist attack that killed three people and the wounded another 10. Meanwhile, preliminary investigations are continuing and, according to sources of The Jakarta Post, East Jakarta police identified one of the suicide bombers as Ichwan Nurul Salam, 32, resident in the Indonesian capital.

In a press conference held today in his private residence in Surakarta, Central Java, Widodo said, "I call on all the citizens of this nation to remain calm and preserve our unity. We must defend our peace as Muslims prepare for Ramadan." The president announced that he had ordered a manhunt to bring the network of terrorist supporters to justice. The task of conducting the operations was entrusted to Gen. Tito Karnavian, head of the national police.

It is still unclear who is behind the attack, but Indonesia, the most populous Islamic country in the world, has been alerted in recent months following a series of terrorist attacks and attacks by militants inspired by the Islamic state ( Isis). Experts believe the attack was aimed at police officers. The nation is going through a period of strong social and political tension due to the Islamist radical movements demands that put the spirit of unity and pluralism on which the state is founded. After the sentencing for blasphemy of Jakarta Basuki's governor "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, these conflicts have taken on a semblance of religious conflicts. In an attempt to stem the phenomenon, the Widodo administration has recently launched a campaign against the most extreme movements.

Last night, around 9 pm, the Kampung Melayu Transjakarta bus terminal was hit by a double bomb attack. The police report that the two terrorists died instantly. At least five policemen, who were escorting a traditional parade to welcome the month of Ramadhan, were hit by the explosions and three of them died. Five civilians were injured in the attack.

The Transjargatan transit hub, East Jakarta, and the surrounding area were plunged into chaos after the explosions, which took place around 9 pm. The terminal is located in a densely populated area and is frequented mainly by locals. From preliminary investigations it emerged that the attackers used two rudimentary low cost explosive devices, made up of pressure cookers filled with metallic material.

• Indonesia
• jakarta
• attack
• terrorism
• explosions
• widodo
• isis
• ahok
• tensions
• religious conflicts