Suicide Bomber Attacks Church in Indonesia

As people were leaving Bethel Injil Sepuluh church in Keputon, Solo, this morning, they were struck by a deadly attack. The suicide bomber struck after the church's usual Sunday service. At least one person (in addition to the attacker) has been killed; twenty are injured, three of which are serious, according to the Associated Press.

The motive behind the attack and the name of the suicide bomber are not yet known. However, a number of deadly terrorist attacks by Islamist militant groups have been carried out in Indonesia in the last several years. Solo is also the hometown of the spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiah (JI), an Islamist militant group which has connections to Al Qaeda. It is possible that this may be one in a string of attacks this group over the last several years, including the 2002 Bali bombings, though the group is significantly weaker than it used to be.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15051334

Maci Mitchell