JAKARTA (AFP)--Indonesian police Sunday confirmed regional
terror outfit Jemaah Islamiyah as the culprits behind twin suicide
blasts at Jakarta hotels, and said one of the bombers had been
identified.
Jemaah Islamiyah, which draws inspiration from Al-Qaeda, has
carried out dozens of bombings in Indonesia in the past decade
including 2002 attacks in Bali that left more than 200 dead, mostly
foreign tourists.
"We confirm that the attackers are from Jemaah Islamiyah because
there are similarities in the bombs used," national police
spokesman Nanan Soekarna told a press conference.
He said an exploded bomb left in a guestroom of the JW Marriott,
which was attacked along with the nearby Ritz-Carlton, resembled
devices used in Bali and one discovered in a recent anti-JI raid on
an Islamic boarding school.
"They are from the same school. We found similar tools, similar
materials and similar methods," he said.
Police have identified one of the two suicide bombers who
targeted the hotels during the breakfast period Friday when they
were packed with foreign businessmen and diplomats, he said.
"Following the preliminary results of facial reconstruction,
both suicide bombers are male," he said, quelling speculation that
a woman was involved.
"One of them has been identified. I cannot tell you his complete
name but he has the initial 'N'. And another body is still in the
process of identification."
Soekarna said nine people were killed in the attacks. Foreign
Minister Hassan Wirayuda on Saturday put the toll at eight,
including four foreigners and the two suicide bombers.
Three Australians and a New Zealander have been confirmed dead.
The health ministry said a Singaporean man was also killed but did
not give a complete name and the Singapore embassy here said it
hadn't verified the death.
An Indonesian man identified by the single name Darmanto was
also among those killed, the health ministry said.
Soekarna has said 16 foreigners were injured, including six
Americans, two Dutch, one Australian, two Canadians, one Indian,
two South Koreans, one New Zealander and a Norwegian.
