Improvised bomb explodes at MAN 3 Padang, 17-year-old detained
Police suspect the low-yield device was assembled at home from online-purchased materials; bullying is being examined as a motive.
An improvised bomb exploded once beside a classroom at MAN 3 Padang in Sumatera Barat on Tuesday (14/7) at around 11:30 WIB. No one was killed or injured, but police sealed off the school and searched the area. Densus 88 and Polda Sumbar detained a 12th-grade student identified as R, 17, who is suspected of carrying and assembling the explosive device.
In an initial examination, police seized a black box, a black bag, a cellphone, firecrackers, a knife, arrows, marbles, bolts and other items. Based on initial information that is still being verified, R assembled the low-yield bomb at home from materials bought online and followed online groups about explosives. Police are also examining an assertion that he was inspired by the case at SMAN 72 Jakarta in 2025. Polda Sumbar said the suspected motive is linked to bullying at school.