Indonesian police identify newlywed couple with Islamic State ties behind Palm Sunday suicide bombing

National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said both attackers – a man and a woman – were members of extremist group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD)

Both suspects in the attack were killed as they rode a motorbike into the compound of the church, setting off what authorities said was an improvised explosive device

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Armed police officers stand guard along a closed road following an explosion outside a Catholic church in Makassar, South Sulawesi province, Indonesia on Sunday. Photo: Antara Foto / Arnas Padda via Reuters

Published: 12:54am, 29 Mar 2021Updated: 5:06pm, 29 Mar 2021

Indonesian authorities on Monday identified a newly married couple with suspected militant links as the attackers who used a pressure cooker to blow themselves up outside a Roman Catholic cathedral during Palm Sunday Mass.

The attack wounded 20 people, including four church guards, and broke windows at the church and nearby buildings in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province.

The couple married six months ago and police were still investigating at their house in Makassar, National Police spokesperson Argo Yuwono said. “Investigations are still being carried out including uncovering other perpetrators,” Yuwono said in a statement.

Police identified the couple only by their initials, L and his wife, YSF. Neighbours of the couple identified the man as Lukman and his wife as Dewi, who were between 23 and 26 years old.

The attackers detonated their bombs when they were confronted by guards outside the church.

The pressure cooker bombs contained high explosive materials and nails to increase the harm to victims, said Makassar city police chief Witnu Urip Laksana.

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