Islamic State-inspired attack leaves local Priest injured and hundreds of Churches frightened
ICC Note: An ISIS supporter armed with a bomb and an ax intended to wreak havoc during a packed Sunday Mass celebration in Indonesia. By the Grace of God, the young man’s bomb burst into flames rather than explode, sparing the lives of hundreds. However, the man managed to swing at the church’s 60-year-old priest, injuring his hand. Thankfully, the congregants were able to subdue the attacker until police arrived. This is the second ISIS inspired attack within this year alone in Indonesia. ISIS has called on supporters worldwide to carry out attacks at home, rather than join the militant group in Syria, Iraq and Libya, where it holds territory. Therefore, it is essential to pray against the evil plans of ISIS all around the world.
08/30/2016 Indonesia (The Christian Post): A teenage Islamic State terror group supporter attacked a Roman Catholic priest with an axe at a church in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra in Indonesia, but failed to set off explosives that could have killed hundreds of worshipers during Sunday mass.
“A terrorism act was carried out Sunday morning at the Saint Joseph Catholic Church,” said Rina Sari Ginting, spokeswoman for Medan police in a statement. “Police are interrogating the perpetrator… and will search his house for any bomb-making materials.”
MailOnline reported that the 18-year-old IS attacker was carrying a backpack bomb when he attacked 60-year-old priest Albert Pandiangan inside St Yoseph Church in Medan. The explosives failed to go off, however, which prompted the attacker to pull out an axe from the bag, and slash the priest’s arm.
National police spokesman Major General Boy Rafli Amar told Reuters that the IS supporter was apprehended by churchgoers before he could cause serious harm. Both the attacker and the priest sustained minor injuries in the incident.
Police found a hand-drawn IS flag in the teenager’s possession, though the exact motive for the attack on the Catholic church is now being investigated, reports said.
The would-be bomber apparently sat with Christians during the service before launching his attack.
“There was a small explosion like fireworks and he also took out a knife as he ran toward the priest,” said Timbas Ginting, one of the witnesses.
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