Indonesian teen's diary reveals path to mosque blasts

An Indonesian student suspected of carrying out a bomb attack at his school mosque in Jakarta wrote about feeling isolated in his 42-page diary and drew inspiration from a Telegram group glorifying white supremacist attacks, according to new details from police.

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The early November explosions struck worshippers as they lined up for Friday prayers, injuring 96 people and scattering shoes, prayer mats and glass across the courtyard.

Investigators have since combed through his internet history and raided his home to piece together how a reclusive 17-year-old in Muslim-majority Indonesia absorbed extremist ideologies with no historic influence in the country.

“He wanted to be recognised by members of the online community... because he feels lonely,” Jakarta police spokesman Reonald Simanjuntak told Reuters.

Police said the student, who is being treated as a “child facing the law” under Indonesia’s juvenile crime regulations and has not been formally identified, acted alone, building seven small bombs at home by following instructions from YouTube videos.

He sourced materials such as potassium chloride and nails from online marketplaces without setting off alarm bells, a security lapse police said they will examine closely.

Four of the devices detonated while three failed to explode.