2011 Cirebon bombing
Encyclopedia
On April 15, 2011, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device in a mosque in a police compound in the city of Cirebon
, in West Java
, Indonesia. The attack occurred around 12:20 WIB (UTC+7)
during Friday prayers.
The bomber was killed and at least 28 people were injured, most of whom were praying
in the mosque.
, the special unit for anti-terrorism, has been successful in capturing and killing numerous terrorist suspects, especially those affiliated with Jemaah Islamiyah
. The bombing, which targeted the Police, marked a shift in terrorist attacks in Indonesia, as previous attacks have been targeted at symbols of Western influence such as hotels (2003
and 2009 Marriot bombings
), embassies (2004 Australian embassy bombing), or night clubs (2002 Bali bombings).
The target of the attack is Az-Zikra mosque in the local Police office compound. Like most mosques in Indonesia, the mosque in the police compound didn't have any security. It is Indonesia's first terrorist attack after two years of peace following 2009 Jakarta bombings
.
was finishing the sermon
. The perpetrator was approximately 25 to 30 years old and 165–170 cm tall and carried a backpack. The bomber showed up in the mosque wearing a full black dress, and concealed the explosives behind his black jacket. The bomber was probably targeting the Cirebon police chief, Adjutant Senior Commander (Police) Herukoco, since he chose to stand near him.
As the imam leading the prayer, the bomber detonated his explosives. Following the loud explosion, the bomber is killed with his stomach destroyed. The explosion injured at least 28 victims. Most of these are the praying police officers, while one is a civilian who happen to use the mosque for Friday prayer. Most of the victims are injured from nails and screws attached to the bomb. The victims -including the police chief of Cirebon, were evacuated to the nearby hospitals.
Police to identify the perpetrator. Detachment 88 anti-terrorism unit has also deployed. According to early observation Al Qaeda (with its local Jemaah Islamiyah
affiliates) could be behind the attack.
Security analyst predict that the attack was revenge for Indonesian Police clampdown on terrorism, as several high profile militants suspected of involvement in past bombings in Indonesia
have recently been arrested or killed by the police.
The attack was condemned by various leaders and public figures in Indonesia. Indonesian President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
strongly condemned the attack and called on the society as a whole to work together to eradicate terrorism. Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali, who is also chairman of United Development Party
(PPP) urged the public not to be provoked by the terrorist attack. Governor of West Java province, Ahmad Heryawan also condemned the bombing and urged the police to completely investigate the attacks.
Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest Muslim organization in the country condemned the attack. The organization's chairman Said Aqil Siradj called the attack "very irresponsible" and concurring the observation that terrorism has shifted from aiming at western symbols to focusing on domestic targets.
test. Syarif was said to be often joined protests held by a hardline Islamic group in Cirebon, the Anti-Apostasy and Nonbelievers Movement, but was not a member.
Link with terrorist networks and motives for the attack is still being investigated.
Cirebon
Cirebon is a port city on the north coast of the Indonesian island of Java. It is located in the province of West Java near the provincial border with Central Java, approximately 297 km east of Jakarta, at .The seat of a former Sultanate, the city's West and Central Java border location have...
, in West Java
West Java
West Java , with a population of over 43 million, is the most populous and most densely populated province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, it is slightly smaller in area than densely populated Taiwan, but with nearly double the population...
, Indonesia. The attack occurred around 12:20 WIB (UTC+7)
Time in Indonesia
The Indonesian archipelago geographically stretches across four time zones from UTC+7 in Banda Aceh to UTC+9 in Western Papua. However, The Indonesian government only recognizes three time zones in its territory: Western Indonesian Time—seven hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time ,...
during Friday prayers.
The bomber was killed and at least 28 people were injured, most of whom were praying
Salat
Salah is the practice of formal prayer in Islam. Its importance for Muslims is indicated by its status as one of the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam, of the Ten Practices of the Religion of Twelver Islam and of the 7 pillars of Musta'lī Ismailis...
in the mosque.
Background
Detachment 88 of the Indonesian National PoliceIndonesian National Police
The Indonesian National Police is the official police force for Indonesia. It had formerly been a part of the Tentara Nasional Indonesia. The police were formally separated from the military in April 1999, a process which was formally completed in July 2000. With 150,000 personnel, the police form...
, the special unit for anti-terrorism, has been successful in capturing and killing numerous terrorist suspects, especially those affiliated with Jemaah Islamiyah
Jemaah Islamiyah
Jemaah Islamiah , is a Southeast Asian militant Islamic organization dedicated to the establishment of a Daulah Islamiyah in Southeast Asia incorporating Indonesia, Malaysia, the southern Philippines, Singapore and Brunei...
. The bombing, which targeted the Police, marked a shift in terrorist attacks in Indonesia, as previous attacks have been targeted at symbols of Western influence such as hotels (2003
2003 Marriott Hotel bombing
The 2003 Marriott Hotel bombing occurred on 5 August 2003 in Mega Kuningan, South Jakarta, Indonesia. A suicide bomber detonated a car bomb outside the lobby of the JW Marriott Hotel, killing twelve people and injuring 150. All those killed were Indonesian with the exception of one Dutch...
and 2009 Marriot bombings
2009 Jakarta bombings
At around 7:50 am local time on 17 July 2009, the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia, were hit by separate bombings five minutes apart. Three of the seven victims who were killed were Australians, two from The Netherlands, and one each from New Zealand and Indonesia. More...
), embassies (2004 Australian embassy bombing), or night clubs (2002 Bali bombings).
The target of the attack is Az-Zikra mosque in the local Police office compound. Like most mosques in Indonesia, the mosque in the police compound didn't have any security. It is Indonesia's first terrorist attack after two years of peace following 2009 Jakarta bombings
2009 Jakarta bombings
At around 7:50 am local time on 17 July 2009, the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia, were hit by separate bombings five minutes apart. Three of the seven victims who were killed were Australians, two from The Netherlands, and one each from New Zealand and Indonesia. More...
.
Bombing
The bomber arrived in the mosque approximately 12.10 when the khatibKhatib
Khatib or khateeb is an Arabic term used to describe a person who delivers the sermon , during the Friday prayer and Eid prayers....
was finishing the sermon
Khutba
Khutbah serves as the primary formal occasion for public preaching in the Islamic tradition.Such sermons occur regularly, as prescribed by the teachings of all legal schools. The Islamic tradition can be formally at the dhuhr congregation prayer on Friday...
. The perpetrator was approximately 25 to 30 years old and 165–170 cm tall and carried a backpack. The bomber showed up in the mosque wearing a full black dress, and concealed the explosives behind his black jacket. The bomber was probably targeting the Cirebon police chief, Adjutant Senior Commander (Police) Herukoco, since he chose to stand near him.
As the imam leading the prayer, the bomber detonated his explosives. Following the loud explosion, the bomber is killed with his stomach destroyed. The explosion injured at least 28 victims. Most of these are the praying police officers, while one is a civilian who happen to use the mosque for Friday prayer. Most of the victims are injured from nails and screws attached to the bomb. The victims -including the police chief of Cirebon, were evacuated to the nearby hospitals.
Reactions
Following the attack, Indonesian police increased security in all of it regional branches. Street merchants, which have been a common feature in front of Indonesian Police stations, have been banned temporarily. Indonesian Police sent a forensic team from West JavaWest Java
West Java , with a population of over 43 million, is the most populous and most densely populated province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, it is slightly smaller in area than densely populated Taiwan, but with nearly double the population...
Police to identify the perpetrator. Detachment 88 anti-terrorism unit has also deployed. According to early observation Al Qaeda (with its local Jemaah Islamiyah
Jemaah Islamiyah
Jemaah Islamiah , is a Southeast Asian militant Islamic organization dedicated to the establishment of a Daulah Islamiyah in Southeast Asia incorporating Indonesia, Malaysia, the southern Philippines, Singapore and Brunei...
affiliates) could be behind the attack.
Security analyst predict that the attack was revenge for Indonesian Police clampdown on terrorism, as several high profile militants suspected of involvement in past bombings in Indonesia
Terrorism in Indonesia
Recent Terrorism in Indonesia can in part be attributed to the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jemaah Islamiyah Islamist terror group.Since 2003, a number of 'western targets' have been attacked. Victims have included both foreign—mainly Western tourists—as well as Indonesian civilians...
have recently been arrested or killed by the police.
The attack was condemned by various leaders and public figures in Indonesia. Indonesian President
President of Indonesia
The President of the Republic of Indonesia is the head of state and the head of government of the Republic of Indonesia.The first president was Sukarno and the current president is Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.- Sukarno era :...
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono AC , is an Indonesian politician and retired Army general officer who has been President of Indonesia since 2004....
strongly condemned the attack and called on the society as a whole to work together to eradicate terrorism. Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali, who is also chairman of United Development Party
United Development Party
The United Development Party , sometimes translated as Development Unity Party is a political party in Indonesia. It is an islamic party and currently led by Suryadharma Ali.-Origins:...
(PPP) urged the public not to be provoked by the terrorist attack. Governor of West Java province, Ahmad Heryawan also condemned the bombing and urged the police to completely investigate the attacks.
Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest Muslim organization in the country condemned the attack. The organization's chairman Said Aqil Siradj called the attack "very irresponsible" and concurring the observation that terrorism has shifted from aiming at western symbols to focusing on domestic targets.
Investigation
The body of the perpetrator is badly mangled but his head is still intact, enabling the Police to obtain his face photograph. This photograph was released in order to identify the suspect. After the photo was released it was identified as Muhammad Syarif, 24, a Cirebon resident. He was identified by his mother who came forward hours after the police released the photo. This identification was confirmed by the suspect's family and his neighbors. His identity is further confirmed by DNADNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
test. Syarif was said to be often joined protests held by a hardline Islamic group in Cirebon, the Anti-Apostasy and Nonbelievers Movement, but was not a member.
Link with terrorist networks and motives for the attack is still being investigated.