Members of Indonesia’s elite anti-terrorism squad killed three terror suspects in a firefight during a raid Wednesday on a house south of the capital Jakarta, police said.
Police spokesman Senior Commissioner Rikwanto said the suspects hurled explosives at agents from the country’s anti-terrorism unit, Densus 88, during a raid on a rented home in Tangerang, Banten province.
Three suspects were killed, while a fourth was detained.
Agents who raided the house found a homemade bomb that Rikwanto described as “quite big.” It was detonated at the scene by a bomb squad, according to CNN Indonesia, which said the suspects were reportedly planning an attack on New Year’s Eve.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo praised the officers’ quick action and urged residents to be vigilant in reporting potential terror threats.
“We hope people are always wary, looking right and left. If there are things that need to be reported, report them immediately to the authorities,” he said.
“I think all countries are experiencing the same thing. Therefore, we hope that the community will help shield the country from terrorism, from radicalism.”
Earlier this year, militants set off explosions and opened fire near a Starbucks in a busy entertainment and shopping district in central Jakarta. Two were killed and dozens injured in the attack, for which ISIS claimed responsibility.
