Farouk Arnaz – The attempted firebombing of two Makassar churches was likely part of an attempt to spark religious tensions in South Sulawesi, the National Police said on Tuesday.

Police are searching for three men allegedly behind the attacks on two churches in Makassar early Sunday morning. The would-be arsonists threw homemade molotov cocktails at the Tiatira Malengkeri Church and the Toraja Mamasa Church of Jordan Congregation, but failed to cause any significant damage.

The front door and sign of the Toraja Mamasa Church of Jordan Congregation was burned in the attack. The Tiatira Malengkeri Church survived the attempt unscathed.

Police said the attacks were likely meant to stir religious controversy in South Sulawesi. Investigators didn't find any evidence linking the attacks to known terrorist groups operating in either Poso or South Sulawesi, National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said.

"They want to pit the Christians against other groups in order to make an inconvenient situation in the society," Boy said. "This could be a horizontal conflict because they want to encourage hatred and suspicion among the people."

Boy urged local residents to avoid the temptation to point fingers and remain calm as police investigated the incidents.

Sunday's attacks came on the heels of a recent string suspected terrorist activity in Makassar – An ATM machine was torched on Jan. 20 by unknown assailants on Jalan Gunung Latimojong, in Makassar.

Days later, two terrorism suspects were gunned down during a firefight with Densus 88 members at Makassar's Wahidin Hospital. The men, Ahmad Khalil and Syamsudin HG, were allegedly involved in several other terrorist attacks in Poso, Central Sulawesi.