(The explosives) were destroyed as they contained hazardous substances.Cikarang, Bekasi (ANTARA) - Police on Monday destroyed explosives that were found at a house rented by a suspected terrorist arrested by the National Police's anti-terror squad Densus 88 in Sukasari village, Serang Baru subdistrict, Bekasi district, West Java. "(The explosives) were destroyed as they contained hazardous substances," chief of the public relations section at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Senior Commissioner Yusri Yunus, informed.
Before the explosives were safely detonated at the suspect’s house, chief of the Metro Bekasi District Police, Senior Commissioner Hendra Gunawan, asked police personnel and journalists to vacate the premises.
Nearly five minutes later, at 1.30 p.m. local time, Gunawan gave the order for detonating the explosives. The resulting explosion was extremely loud and produced thick billows of smoke, causing panic among passers-by, with many stopping their vehicles or changing their route.
The panic eased after Gunawan appealed to local residents to remain calm. Police later regulated the traffic, which had stopped due to the explosion.
The explosion sound was believed to come from a home-made bomb belonging to the suspected terrorist. The bomb was detonated in the house because it would be very difficult to take it away from the house.
Before the explosion, chief of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Inspector General Fadli Imran, and chief of the public relations section of the National Police, Inspector General Agro Yuwono, who were at the scene, only confirmed there was activity in their jurisdiction in Bekasi district. (INE)
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Translator: Pradita KS/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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