Insights

IS-militants kill police officer in North Sumatra's police headquarters in Medan city

Two suspected Islamic State militants have stabbed to death one police officer in western Indonesia, in the latest attack by the terrorist group targeting officials in the world’s most populous Muslim country. The attackers are reported to have shouted “Allahu Akbar” as they entered a security post in North Sumatra's police headquarters in Medan city before Eid prayers to mark the end of Ramadan. Following the attack, one or the IS militants was killed and the other injured.

Those operating or residing in Indonesia are advised to be aware of the current terrorist threat. Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, has long struggled with Islamic militancy and was hit by series of attacks in the past 15 years. A sustained crackdown in the country has weakened the most dangerous networks, but the emergence of the Islamic State (IS) group has proved a serious new rallying cry for the country’s radicals. Report any suspicious packages, behaviour or activity to the authorities and remain vigilant.