Suspected Daesh sympathizer stabs 3 Indonesian police

By Ainur Rohmah

TUBAN, Indonesia (AA) – A suspected Daesh sympathizer stabbed three Indonesian police officers before being shot in the leg Thursday near Jakarta, according to officials.

National police spokesman Commissioner Martinus Sitompul told Anadolu Agency, “the perpetrator is allegedly a member of ISIS," using an alternative acronym for the terror group.

The attacker, identified as 21-year-old Sultan Azianzah, attacked the police chief of Tangerang city and two of his officers after they caught him placing a sticker with Daesh’s logo at a traffic station.

Jakarta Regional Police Commissioner spokesman Awi Setiyono said police also saw Azianzah throwing two objects resembling explosives.

The attacker was arrested after police fired three shots at his legs.

After his capture, officers recovered two sharp weapons, a Daesh logo sticker, and two objects believed to be bombs.

Indonesia has been on alert against extremist activities for over a year, further heightening security measures after attacks in the capital in January killed eight people, including four Daesh-affiliated assailants.

In August, an 18-year-old arrested after trying to kill a priest was reported to have claimed to have been inspired by love for Daesh's leader in Syria and an attack by Daesh-linked knifemen in France.

Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has stressed that the country is on alert against any possible terror attacks as dozens of its citizens suspected of joining Daesh have returned from Syria.