Indonesian Teen Constructed Homemade Bombs for School Mosque Attack: Authorities Reveal Online Radicalization Path

Police investigators have characterized the 17-year-old suspect in a recent mosque bombing as a socially isolated individual with an unhealthy fascination with violent extremist content.

A student from Indonesia suspected of involvement in last week's explosive attack at a high school mosque had created rudimentary bombs in his home environment. Authorities revealed on Tuesday that the teen attempted to emulate extremist actions he discovered online, though he maintained no connections with established militant organizations.

According to police investigators, the unidentified 17-year-old suspect, who was among the 96 casualties in Friday's explosions in Jakarta, exhibited loner tendencies and displayed an obsession with violent and extremist materials. The young suspect remains hospitalized, recovering after undergoing two surgical procedures.

"This individual was motivated to execute such an action," stated Jakarta Police Director of General Criminal Investigation Iman Imanuddin during a media briefing. "He experienced isolation and lacked appropriate channels to express his grievances, whether within his family circle, community environment, or educational institution."

The student constructed seven explosive devices - four of which detonated - utilizing basic materials including 6-volt batteries, plastic containers, remote triggering mechanisms, and sharp nails designed to maximize injury, according to Henik Maryanto from the police mobile brigade unit.

"We have secured the remaining functional explosives that failed to detonate," Maryanto explained, noting that the suspect independently assembled these devices by following online instructions.

Authorities also discovered a toy submachine gun belonging to the suspect, marked with apparent white supremacist slogans and names of international extremists, including convicted neo-Nazis from Canada and Italy, a mosque attacker from New Zealand, and a Columbine High School shooter.

"These symbols and names represent violent figures and ideologies that inspired the teenager to imitate their actions, but there exists no connection between the suspect and any terrorist network," explained Mayndra Eka Wardhana, spokesperson for the elite counterterrorism unit.

Wardhana indicated that while the suspect cannot be prosecuted under Indonesia's strict anti-terrorism legislation, he could face charges of premeditated serious assault, potentially resulting in imprisonment for up to 12 years.

Officials reported that more than half of the 96 injured students experienced hearing impairment, with four suffering sudden deafness. As of Tuesday, 11 students remained under medical care, including one in critical condition due to burn injuries.