The ASEAN foreign ministers on 18 May released a statement condemning recent terrorist attacks in Indonesia, according to the ASEAN Secretariat. 

Indonesian police arrests a suspect of May 14 bombing(Source: VNA)

According to the statement, the Association Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in the vicinity of three churches and police stations in Surabaya and Pekanbaru, Indonesia on May 13, 14 and 16, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives and caused injuries to many others.

ASEAN extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, and
wishes the injured a quick recovery.

The association pledges to fully support the efforts of the Government of Indonesia in addressing the situation and bringing the perpetrators to justice, said the statement.

“ASEAN stands in solidarity with the Government and people of Indonesia in this difficult time. We also reaffirm our commitment to enhance regional counterterrorism cooperation,” the ministers stressed.

After the bombings, the police have intensified investigations of the scenes and conducted raids for perpetrators. Over the past days, 48 terror suspects have been arrested, while several were shot dead.

Indonesia’s national police chief Tito Karnavian on 17 May affirmed that national security has been strengthened to deal with terrorism threats after a series of suicide bombings rocked the country days ago.

The general confirmed that bomb attacks targeting Christian churches and police stations were the revenge of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) and Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT) – two terrorist groups, after Indonesian police arrested their leaders.

Statistics of the Indonesian police showed that since 2000, 342 terrorist attacks have hit the country, leaving 48 dead and 108 wounded.

(Source: VNA)