"It was the same network, what`s different is the individuals. They have recruited new players and the modus operandi is not new either," Sutanto said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - State Intelligence Agency (BIN) head Sutanto said here on Friday the suicide bomb attack in Cirebon, West Java, that killed a person and hurt more than 25 others, was perpetrated by an old terror network.

"It was the same network, what`s different is the individuals. They have recruited new players and the modus operandi is not new either," Sutanto said after a coordinating meeting on political, legal and security affairs.

The bomb exploded in a mosque inside the headquarters of Cirebon City Police Precinct at 12.15 when Friday prayers were being performed. The dead victim, whose stomach was badly wounded, was presumed as the perpetrator of the attack who detonated the explosive strapped around his belly.

The killed attacker was standing in the second row of the congregation. He was presumed to have targeted the location for his attack as some senior officers of the Cirebon City police always perform Friday prayers in the mosque.

The explosion sent bomb fragments around causing injuries to tens of policemen and including Cirebon City Police head Police Grand Commissioner Adjutant Herukoco.

Following the terror attack in Cirebon, Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal and Security Affairs, Djoko Suyanto, said that the government condemned the inhumane attack.

Suyanto added that not long after the attack, National Police head General Timur Pradopo had reported to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono about the attack.

Based on Pradopo`s report, President Yudhoyono gave the order to the Police head, Intelligence head Sutanto, head of National Agency for Combating Terrorism Ansyaad Mbai and some other related institutions to quickly uncover the masterminds of the attack.

The president also had asked all elements of the public, from religious leaders, civil society elements up to the leadership levels in the provinces to be alert and combat terrorism, said Suyanto.

"Give the information, however small it may be, to the security apparatus for follow up. Security officers are also asked to increase their alertness," said minister Suyanto.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011