In Jakarta, Indonesia, a 17-year-old suspect has been arrested following an attack on a mosque at a high school that resulted in injuries to numerous students. The incident occurred on Friday, November 7, 2025, during the Friday sermon at SMAN 72, a state high school located within a naval residential complex in the northern Kelapa Gading neighborhood of Jakarta. Around midday, at least two explosions were reported near the mosque's loudspeaker, causing chaos and panic among the worshipers.
Authorities indicated that the suspect was among the injured, suffering from blast-related injuries and currently recovering in a hospital. National Police Chief Listyo Sigit confirmed that the suspect had undergone surgery and that his condition was improving, which would allow police to question him shortly. Officials stated that there was only one suspect at this time but emphasized that the investigation would continue to determine if other individuals or groups were involved in the attack.
The explosions, which echoed through the mosque, were powerful enough to cause immediate hearing loss for several victims who were situated near the loudspeaker. According to police reports, 54 individuals were injured during the blast, with approximately 29 students hospitalized due to burns and other injuries. The specifics regarding the type of explosives used were not disclosed, but it was noted that they appeared to have been placed in close proximity to the loudspeaker.
In their investigation, police discovered concerning evidence at the suspect's residence, including explosive powder and writings that indicated potential affiliations with hate groups. Notably, they recovered a toy submachine gun owned by the suspect, which bore white supremacist slogans and the names of two neo-Nazis known for committing violent attacks in Canada and Italy. This discovery is raising alarm among authorities as they explore the suspect's possible connections to broader extremist movements.
Authorities have clarified that this incident has not been categorized as terrorism. They are looking into reports suggesting that the suspect, a 12th-grade student, had a history of being bullied and may have intended to carry out a revenge attack, potentially aiming for a suicide bombing. Ridlwan Habib, an intelligence and terrorism analyst at the University of Indonesia, indicated that the suspect had been a frequent target of bullying, which might have influenced his decision to retaliate by emulating the actions of international extremists he researched online. This incident marks a troubling first in Indonesia, being the first known attack carried out by a student inside a school setting, targeting his peers.
Neighbors of the suspect painted a picture of an introverted young man, describing him as unsociable and mostly reclusive, spending significant amounts of time in his room with his cellphone and laptop. The suspect lived with his father and older sister in a home that also functioned as a processing facility for food intended for various restaurants. A neighbor highlighted that the family had been struggling, especially after the suspect's parents divorced over seven years ago, contributing to the boy's withdrawn demeanor.
The aftermath of the explosion has resulted in a heightened response from both police and military personnel who have been deployed to ensure the safety of the area. Investigators continue to assess the situation, aiming to prevent any further incidents and to understand the motivations behind this attack.
