Police Tighten Security at Medan Churches Amid Terror Threat
Medan. Police in Medan have stepped up security at churches across the city, some of which were targeted in terrorist bombings on Christmas Eve 2000, as the threat of a potential attack this year looms.
Among the churches getting an increased police presence are the HKBP Padang Bulan and HKBP Sudirman churches, both of which were hit in a string of coordinated bombings that targeted nine churches across Medan 15 years ago.
Twenty-nine churches nationwide were targeted in those attacks, carried out by Jemaah Islamiyah, the Southeast Asian affiliate of Al Qaeda.
Among the security measures being implemented in Medan this year, police have stationed plainclothes officers within 100 meters of churches, supplemented by hourly vehicle patrols.
“We’re on high alert to secure Christmas and New Year celebrations,” said Adj. Sr. Comr. Mardiaz Kusin Dwihananto, the Medan Police chief. “We’re also coordinating with various religious figures.”
He called on residents to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to the authorities immediately.
The state of heightened security has been prompted by warnings from intelligence officials about the potential for terrorist attacks during the year-end holiday period.
Police last week arrested several individuals alleged to be planning bomb attacks on churches, and a separate group targeting Shiite congregations, while earlier this year, conservative Muslims destroyed several churches in Aceh province.
Tags: Keywords: