inp.polri.go.id - Padang. The West Sumatra Regional Police, along with the Special Detachment (Densus) 88 Anti-terrorism Unit of the Indonesian National Police (INP), are investigating the explosion that occurred at MAN 3 in Balai Gadang Village, Koto Tengah District, Padang City, on Tuesday (7/14/2026) at around 11:30 a.m.
Densus 88 spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Mayndra Eka Wardhana, explained that the item suspected to be a homemade bomb was first discovered by school security officers. The school immediately reported the incident to the police.
"From the initial inspection, officers secured several items, including a black box, a black bag, a cell phone, firecrackers, a knife, arrows, marbles, bolts, and several other items," explained Mayndra in his statement.
After arriving and being questioned, the police took initial action against a student with the initials R (17). R was taken into custody because, based on the initial investigation, he was suspected of being the owner of the items.
"The identity of the victim, identified as the target of the planned action, is based on the perpetrator's statement and still requires further investigation. The perpetrator also admitted to studying explosives production online and was inspired by the bombing at SMA Negeri 72 Jakarta in 2005. The investigation team is still investigating the motive," said Mayndra.
According to him, there were no fatalities or injuries in this incident. The items have now been secured by the police.
He further stated that, based on the suspect's initial statement, the device was allegedly assembled independently using materials obtained online and made at home without his parents' knowledge. The perpetrator also admitted to joining several online groups discussing explosives production.
"All of these statements are still being verified and further investigated by law enforcement," said Mayndra.
Densus 88 and the West Sumatra Regional Police are also conducting an in-depth investigation into this case by interviewing witnesses.
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