JAKARTA — A powerful explosion tore through a mosque inside a highschool complex in North Jakarta during Friday midday prayers, injuring at least 54 people, many of them students and teachers, police said. The blast took place around 12:09 p.m. local time at SMAN 72, a public high school located in the Kodamar compound of the navy in Kelapa Gading Barat, one of Jakarta’s dense residential zones.

Rapid Emergency Response

Jakarta Police Chief Asep Edi Suheri confirmed that injured victims were hospitalized at various facilities, including Sumber Waras and Kelapa Gading Community Health Centre, with injuries ranging from minor to severe burns. “We have several patients in critical condition,” he told reporters.

Witnesses described the moment:

“It was like a bomb, one loud boom and the ground shook,”

 said a 25-year-old resident.

“I saw students bleeding, screaming, running in every direction.”

Evidence of Possible Terror Attack

Initial investigation found rifles, a revolver, and components believed to be from an improvised explosive device (IED) near the scene. One firearm reportedly bore the engraving “Welcome to Hell”, and a tactical vest was also recovered. Forensic and counterterror teams from Indonesia’s BNPT and Puslabfor have launched an inquiry.

School Community in Shock

SMAN 72, with roughly 1,200 students, was described by locals as a “safe space for worship and learning.” One community elder remarked, “This was supposed to be a safe space for children to pray. What happened here is an attack on both our youth and our faith.”

Mayor Ali Maulana Hakim of North Jakarta pledged a full investigation, saying: “We will not let acts of terror intimidate our communities.”

Growing Security Concern

While Indonesia has curbed large-scale attacks in recent years, authorities continue to warn of active extremist cells targeting soft power symbols such as schools and places of worship. This incident marks a serious test of Jakarta’s security architecture.