In a bold display of security and intelligence, Indonesian authorities successfully aborted a potentially lethal assault on Pope Francis, orchestrated by individuals with alleged ISIS ties during his visit to Jakarta. The sinister plot was uncovered thanks to the suspects inadvertently revealing their intentions through online platforms, which also led to their ultimate capture following social media surveillance by vigilant citizens.
The Indonesian national police detained seven suspects early in September, who were accused of organizing threats against the pope during his Asia-Pacific tour. Among the alarming items recovered in the raids were bows and arrows, a drone equipped for surveillance or delivery, and incriminating ISIS leaflets. Pope Francis visited Jakarta from September 3 to September 6, marking the commencement of his 12-day journey which also included stops in Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore.
Intelligence sources disclosed that numerous suspects had previously aligned themselves with ISIS ideologies, and at least one was connected to an ISIS-affiliated group responsible for a stabbing attack on Indonesia’s chief security minister in 2019. The motivations behind the thwarted plan seemed fueled by indignation regarding the pope’s visit to the region’s largest mosque and a local governmental appeal to TV stations to refrain from interrupting the Pope’s televised Mass with Islamic calls to prayer.
The national police anti-terror unit, Detachment 88, renowned for its efficient crackdown on terror plots, played a pivotal role in averting the attack, thanks to a rigorous monitoring mechanism and public tip-offs. The pope’s security was extraordinarily tight during his Indonesian visit, with a combination of local police, snipers, and soldiers providing an unprecedented level of protection.
This event underscores Indonesia’s ongoing battle against religious-inspired terrorism, reflecting a broader historical context marked by several attacks on Christian communities over the years. The diligence of Detachment 88 and the cooperative efforts of the Indonesian security forces underscore a continuing commitment to counterterrorism and the safeguarding of international dignitaries.
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