Telly Nathalia, Jakarta – National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian has confirmed that the man who attacked a police officer on duty in Wonokromo, East Java, on Saturday has links with the Islamic State-affiliated Jamaah Ansharut Daulah.
The suspect, only identified by the initials I.M., is currently in police custody. He arrived at the police post in Wonokromo on the pretense of filing a report before attacking Adjutant First Insp. Agus Sumarsono with a knife. The officer sustained wounds to his head, arms and face, while another officer who came to his assistance was also wounded.
Those officers managed to subdue and disarm the attacker, who also had a catapult and an airsoft gun in his possession.
"He is a supporter of JAD... he was radicalized online and also by some people in their network," Tito said after visiting the two police officers in a hospital in Surabaya, East Java, on Monday.
He said the perpetrator is from the same group that was involved in the East Java church bombings in May 2018, which resulted in the deaths of at least 28 people, including the attackers.
"Surely, whoever was involved in this latest incident and their network will be tracked down," Tito said, adding that some of those responsible for last year's church bombings remain at large.
The two wounded officers are in a stable condition. They have both been promoted to the next rank following the attack.