Densus 88 Uncovers Four Explosions at West Kalimantan School
Reporter
February 4, 2026 | 05:36 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Police Anti-Terror Detachment 88 (Densus 88) has uncovered details regarding the explosions that occurred at State Junior High School (SMPN) 3 Sungai Raya, Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan, which took place at four distinct points.
The spokesperson for Densus 88, Sr. Comr. Mayndra Eka Wardhana, stated that the explosions were caused by detonators or triggers installed on a makeshift device brought by a student into the school environment.
The four explosions did not originate from a gas cylinder combined with firecrackers as initially suspected. "What exploded were four detonators, the triggers; the gas cylinders themselves did not explode," Mayndra told Tempo when contacted on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
According to Mayndra, the device was designed so that exploding firecrackers would trigger a larger explosion from the gas cylinder, yet this scheme failed to materialize. "The hope was that when the firecrackers exploded, the entire unit would explode, but apparently, it did not succeed," he said.
The makeshift bomb explosion occurred on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, around 10:40 a.m. local time within the school grounds. Police subsequently secured the location and evacuated students and teachers to prevent further risks.
The West Kalimantan Regional Police are currently leading the handling of the case. The Forensic Laboratory and bomb disposal teams conducted an on-site investigation to determine the characteristics of the makeshift device and the pattern of the explosion points. Mayndra noted that the technical investigation remains fully in the hands of regional investigators. "That investigation is being conducted by the Labfor team, Gegana, and the investigators of the West Kalimantan Regional Police," he said.
Densus 88 continues to provide assistance through mapping and information exchange. Until Wednesday afternoon, Densus 88 remained in intensive coordination with the Deputy Chief of the West Kalimantan Regional Police. "Assistance, mapping, and the supplying of information are all being handled by Densus," said Mayndra.
The alleged perpetrator, who is still considered a minor, is being handled by the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation of the West Kalimantan Regional Police using an approach in accordance with the juvenile criminal justice system. The police are also investigating the social and psychological backgrounds underlying the actions, including alleged experiences of bullying and family problems.
Following the incident, the school temporarily suspended face-to-face activities and implemented distance learning. Mayndra urged the community, families, and the school environment to increase supervision of children, especially regarding exposure to violent content in digital spaces that could potentially influence behavior.
Read: Four Explosions Reported at West Kalimantan School
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