INDONESIA: Family Launches Suicide Attacks

Source: Open Doors, May 13, 2018

As we [were celebrating] Mother’s Day in the US, it’s almost unconscionable to think about a mother who would prepare a suicide bomb—alongside her two young daughters (aged 9 and 12)—and detonate the bomb inside a church. And a father who would drive a truck bomb in front of a church and do the same—and direct his young sons to suit up in suicide vests on motorcycles to attack yet another church.

But this is what happened in Indonesia on Sunday.

Three bombs exploded across three churches in Indonesia’s Surabaya, capital of East Java province, on Sunday morning (May 13) while Christians gathered to worship.

At least ten people were killed in the attack—including worshippers, a suicide bomber, and several police officers. Over 40 others were injured.

CNN reported that the attacks were planned and executed by one family—including a husband, wife, and four children. The investigation reported that the family was involved in a terrorist group with ties to ISIS.

The explosions took place at a Catholic church (Santa Maria), a Protestant church (GKI Diponegoro), and a Pentecostal church (GPPS). CNN also reported that the blasts occurred one after another between 7:30 and 8 a.m. Three other explosives were later found at two of the church premises but were successfully defused by the bomb squad.

» Read full story. Note that later reports say the youngest daughter of this family, who survived, was eight years old, not nine.

» For more context and local commentary, see Indonesia on Maximum Security Alert Following a String of Explosions in East Java (Global Voices). Also read a more encouraging story from Indonesia, about a Christian worker now serving there. God began planting seeds for gospel ministry in her heart when she was younger than these children (Weave).

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