Indonesia Police Suspect Personal Motive Behind Deadly Blasts

Indonesian police said on Monday that preliminary investigations into a series of explosions in Central Java suggest the attacks may have been driven by personal motives rather than organized religious extremism. The blasts, which occurred late Sunday night in a densely populated neighborhood of Sukoharjo, killed at least four people and injured more than a dozen.

Authorities confirmed that the explosions were caused by homemade devices assembled from low-grade materials, typically used in small-scale mining and agricultural activities. Forensic teams from Jakarta have been dispatched to the site, where investigators are collecting fragments and chemical residues to determine the exact composition and detonation method.

Police spokesperson Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko told reporters that early evidence indicates “a private dispute or personal grievance may have played a role.” He said no extremist network or ideological motive has been established, though police continue to examine the digital and financial records of several suspects.

Residents of Sukoharjo described scenes of chaos as the blasts ripped through a cluster of homes and small workshops shortly after 10 p.m. Many people were preparing for evening prayers when the explosions occurred. Emergency crews rushed to the area to extinguish fires that spread to nearby buildings, while hospitals in Solo and Semarang treated burn and shrapnel injuries.

Community leaders urged calm, warning against speculation about religious or ethnic tensions. “We must wait for the full investigation,” said local cleric Muhammad Syaiful. “This appears to be a personal conflict that turned violent, not a communal issue.”

Indonesia’s counter-terrorism unit, Densus 88, was deployed as a precaution due to the nature of the explosives. However, officials emphasized there is no sign of coordination with known militant cells active in Java or Sumatra. The National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said investigators are “leaning toward an isolated act” motivated by financial or family disputes.

President Joko Widodo, himself a native of Central Java, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and called for swift justice. “We must uphold security and ensure that such incidents do not spread fear,” he said in a statement released by the presidential office.

Indonesia has faced sporadic attacks from Islamist militant groups over the past two decades, but incidents have sharply declined in recent years due to strong intelligence operations and community outreach. Analysts say the latest case underscores the complexity of local conflicts where criminal, personal, and ideological motives often blur.

Authorities expect to release further details after forensic analysis and interrogation of witnesses conclude later this week.