An Islamic State sympathiser arrested in attempted attack on the presidential palace in Jakarta

Siti Elina was about to break into the government building armed with a gun. The counter-terrorism agency notes the growing recruitment of lone women. The attacker shared Islamist propaganda on social media.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Indonesia’s National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT[*]) is investigating a woman who tried to break into the presidential palace on Tuesday armed with a gun.

Acting like “lone wolf”, she tried, unsuccessfully, to shoot at security guards, local police said.

According to BNPT director, Brigadier General Ahmad Nurwakhi, Siti Elina, a supporter of the Hizbut Tahrir terrorist organisation banned in 2019, posted Islamic State propaganda on social media .

Investigators are trying to determine the possible involvement of other parties. The BNPT seized dozens of pistols and rifles at her home in North Jakarta. Her husband also appears to be a supporter of the Islamic State in Indonesia.

General Nurwakhid stressed lone women are increasingly involved in acts of terrorism. "This is a new trend, especially on the part of the Islamic State,” he explained.

Women are recruited as "brides" and trained to perform "jihadi martyrdom". According to police, Siti Elina's case is similar to two other attempted attacks.

In 2016 Dian Yuli Novi was arrested on suspicion of planning an attack on the presidential palace along with other people. In 2021, security forces killed Zazkia Aini for attempting to attack police headquarters in Jakarta.

[*] Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Terorisme.

• indonesia
• terrorism
• islamism
• police
• presidential palace
• lone wolves
• women
• islamic state