Jakarta officials have uncovered new information in the investigation regarding the bombing at a school mosque on November 7, revealing that a 17-year-old student orchestrated the attack primarily in solitude.
The adolescent, who was hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the explosion, is being treated as a minor under Indonesia’s juvenile justice system, as reported by Reuters.
Investigators retrieved a 42-page diary from the youth, referred to as “Diary Reb,” which provides insight into his mental condition and motivations. The diary included sketches of the mosque’s layout, notes on the placement of explosives, and the date of the planned attack. Authorities indicate that the notebook expressed feelings of loneliness, isolation, and a yearning for acknowledgment within extremist online circles.
Police have stated that the teenager acted independently, constructing seven small improvised explosive devices, four of which detonated during Friday prayers. He allegedly acquired bomb-making skills through online tutorials and was involved in a Telegram group that celebrated extremist violence.
Jakarta police spokesperson Reonald Simanjuntak remarked, “He sought recognition from members of the online community… due to his feelings of loneliness.”
The boy’s family background illustrates his isolation. He resided in a modest home in North Jakarta with his father, who is employed as a cook, and several boarders. Following his parents’ divorce and his mother’s remarriage, he reportedly spent the majority of his time alone in front of a laptop. Relatives noted that he had very little social interaction outside of his immediate family.
Authorities also found that he deceived his father regarding the items he was purchasing online, asserting that they were intended for cosplay. Investigators are examining his digital footprint in conjunction with his personal materials, including the diary, to comprehend the motivations behind the attack. Officials believe that the teenager’s actions were more a result of personal trauma and feelings of alienation than of formal religious or ideological indoctrination.
Law enforcement agencies are persistently conducting their inquiry to ascertain if additional individuals or groups played a role in the assault, while simultaneously considering the suitable legal actions in light of the offender’s classification as a minor.
