Indonesian suicide bomber was convicted militant, police say

A Muslim militant and convicted bomb-maker who was released from prison last year blew himself up on Wednesday at a police station on Indonesia’s main island of Java, killing an officer and wounding 11 people, officials said.

The attacker entered the Astana Anyar police station with a motorcycle and detonated one of two bombs he was carrying as police were lining up for a morning assembly, said Bandung city Police Chief Aswin Sipayung. The other explosive was defused.

A video that circulated on social media showed body parts near the damaged lobby of the police station, which was engulfed in white smoke as people ran out of the building.

Food vendor Herdi Hardiansyah said he was preparing meals behind the station when a loud bang shocked him.

He saw a police officer whom he recognised as one of his customers covered in blood, being carried on a motorcycle by two other officers to a hospital. He later learned the officer died. Ten others and a civilian were wounded.

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo told reporters when he visited the station on Wednesday afternoon that the attacker was believed to have been a member of the militant organisation Jemaah Anshorut Daulah, or JAD, which pledged allegiance to Islamic State group and was responsible for other deadly suicide bombings in Indonesia.