The National Police and the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) said Wednesday (August 29th) that attacks on police posts in Surakarta (Solo), Central Java, were aimed at spreading terror, local media reported.National Police front man Boy Rafli Amar told The Jakarta Post that police identified several groups involved in the shooting and grenade-throwing incidents at police posts last week.
Another attack Thursday night left one officer maimed, according to Kompas.
"Some group members are being interrogated, while others are on our radar. We have yet to identify details of the groups, such as whether or not they are locals. However,
if you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning...
so far we believe that the attacks were meant as terrorism," Boy Rafli said, according to The Post.
His comments came amid speculation that the violence was political in nature, and supposedly aimed at undermining Solo Mayor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who is running for governor of Jakarta. Officials are denying such a link.
Separately, BNPT Chairman Ansyaad Mbai said "It's ridiculous to relate the attacks to the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election. Our findings show that these events are most likely intended to terrorise."