Indonesia: Suspected IS-linked supporter attacks policemen

A policeman guarded the location where a suspected supporter of Islamic State attacked policemen in Tangerang, Indonesia's Banten province, on October 20, 2016 (Photo: REUTERS)

Jakarta (VNA) – A suspected supporter of the self-claimed Islamic State (IS) attacked police with a knife in Tangerang city, Indonesia’s Banten province on October 20, injuring five officers, reported by local police. 

Police shot and wounded the attacker, national police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar told reporters, adding the attacker was suspected to be an IS supporter because he tried to put an IS sticker on a building near a police station.

The spokesman also said police suspected the attacker of carrying a bomb and a sharply-pointed weapon which was used in the attack. Further investigation was being conducted.

Police would prepare to respond to returning Indonesian IS supporters, he added.

The attack came after a series of IS-linked assaults in Indonesia beginning in January this year when four gunmen mounted a gun and bomb attack on the security force in downtown Jakarta, killing eight people, including attackers.

In July, a militant activated explosive at a police station in Solo town, leaving one officer wounded.

In August, the police force crushed a rocket attack plot targeting Singapore’s Marina Bay from Indonesia’s Batam island.-VNA