The Jakarta Post, August 22, 2007
Two more arrested over Pasuruan explosion
Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya
Police have arrested two more men Tuesday over an explosion that killed three people
in Pasuruan, East Java, last week, after a fresh explosion struck Sampang on the
island of Madura the same day.
The Tuesday explosion took place at Sampang's Karang Dalam subdistrict at 7:25
a.m.
No injuries or damage were reported in the latest blast, which took place behind a
resident's home and caused panic among local residents.
Police have been reluctant to provide details of the latest explosion.
East Java Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Pudji Astuti said police were still investigating
if the Sampang explosion was an act of terrorism, or if it was related to the Pasuruan
blast.
"We're still investigating the case," Pudji said in a brief answer to journalists.
Police have so far named eight people suspected of having a role in the Pasuruan
blast, which they suspect was caused by the accidental detonation of a homemade
bomb intended for use in illegal fishing.
Three of the eight suspects died in the explosion. The two men arrested yesterday
were Ilham, the owner of the home where the bomb exploded, and Achmad Nadir, the
man alleged to be the owner of a large amount of the explosive TNT.
Another suspect, Malik, was earlier arrested in Makassar, South Sulawesi, while
another two suspects -- Edi Siswanto and another man identified only as S -- were
caught in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. The three suspects remain in police custody.
East Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Herman Suryadi Sumawiredja alleged that Edi
Siswanto had supplied Nadir with the TNT used to make the bombs.
Edi allegedly obtained the explosives in Makassar from Malik. Police say S was Edi's
assistant in charge of distributing the explosives.
"Based on Malik's testimony, he got the explosive material from an old warhead,"
Herman said.
However, Herman did not specify the source of the warhead.
"So far there is no evidence of military involvement in providing supplies to make the
bomb. We're still developing investigations into the bomb making network and its
distributors," Herman said.
He said the police had also released Suroto, a resident of Sidodadi village in Sidoarjo
regency, whose house alleged was used by Edi to stash 79 kg of TNT explosives and
over 600 detonators.
Police have so far recovered 45.2 kg of TNT and hundreds of detonators from the
Pasuruan bomb site.
He said the police released Suroto after he told them the TNT belong to Edi, who is
his relative.
"Suroto has returned home. He's only a witness, not a suspect, since he was
entrusted with keeping Edi's belongings, the contents of which he did not know.
"But we'll continue monitoring Suroto," Herman added.
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