TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The police are anticipating possible terror attacks ahead of Indonesia’s Independence Day on Agustus 17. The National Police Headquarters spokesman Insp. Gen. Setyo Wasisto said that Police chief General Tito Karnavian has instructed his subordinates to raise vigilance. "All of our members are instructed to work at least in pairs," Setyo said yesterday.
In the past couple of days, the police have received messages sent on Telegram app containing terror plans on August 17. At least two individuals, whose identity cannot be verified yet, have encouraged group members of the messaging application service to launch terror attacks.
The main target of the attacks are cops and military personnel working in groups. They believed that security personnel will be deployed in crowded places to secure the Independence Day celebrations. The terror attacks range from ramming a car into authorities to hurling plastic bottles containing nails, alcohol and chlorine. The messages also contain simple tutorials on how to make a bomb.
Setyo confirmed that the terror messages have been received by the police. The police are now tracking the owner of the account in the Telegram group.
Regardless, the police has called on the people to raise vigilance on threat of terror attacks nearby. "But don’t be paranoid or feel uneasy or afraid," Setyo said.
The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto said that he is angered by people who have been brainwashed others to become terrorists and harm other people. "You may go to jihad or whatever by committing a suicide bombing, but don’t encourage others. Pick a beautiful beach then blow yourself up there," Wiranto said yesterday on the sidelines of the unveiling of the Pancasila Study and State Defense Center at Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University, Yogyakarta.
MITRA TARIGAN | PRIBADI WICAKSONO | ARKHELAUS W.
