Police Arrest 'Motivators' Behind Kampung Melayu Suicide Attack
Jakarta. The suicide bombers who carried out an Islamic State-linked attack in East Jakarta's Kampung Melayu last month were members of a religious community in Bandung, West Java, where they received "motivation" from two suspected militants.
Police arrested the two, identified as Muslih Afifi and Wachidun Triyono, in Bandung's Cileunyi and Cibiru on Wednesday (07/06) and searched their homes, where they found bundles of documents related to jihad.
Preliminary investigation indicates that Muslih and Wachidun lead a foundation called Asykari As-Sunnah in Cileunyi.
The suicide bombers, whom police identified as Ichwan Nurul Salam and Ahmad Sukri, allegedly attended recitations and preaching sessions at the foundation five days before the deadly attack on May 24.
"After that recitation, there was a sort of motivation session for the two suicide bombers," West Java Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Yusri Yunus told the Jakarta Globe.
Among documents found at Muslih's home in Cileunyi was a printed speech titled "Amanah Amirul Mujahidin" and an article, "Taushiyah and Tadzkirah," by jailed Islamist cleric Abu Bakar Bashir.
Police also found a paper depicting the symbol of the Islamic State militant group.
Wednesday's operation followed the arrest of another suspected militant, identified as Muhammad Iqbal, in Bandung's Jatinangor, who reportedly also attended the Asykari As-Sunnah's sessions.
"Most of those arrested recently attended the same recitation and preaching sessions. All were from the same community, the same foundation," Yusri said.
Over the past two weeks, police also arrested two alleged militants in Cipayung, East Jakarta, two in Cibubur, also East Jakarta, and three more in Bandung.
Police said all were suspected of having links to the attack, in which twin bombs exploded minutes apart, killing the bombers and three police officers.
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