The Jihandak Team Of The West Java Police Sterilized The Church Ahead Of The Christmas Celebration

BANDUNG - The Explosives Disposal Team (Jhandak) of the West Java Regional Police Mobile Brigade (Polda) conducted sterilization and sweeping in a number of churches in Bandung City, West Java, ahead of the 2024 Christmas celebration.

West Java Police Mobile Brigade Commander Ipda Erik Heriadi said his party had conducted a sweep of five large churches in Bandung City to ensure that churches that would later be used were safe from disturbances.

"Everything has been examined, both in the church and in the venue. So far, thank God, there have been no suspicious issues or findings, such as objects suspected of being bombs," said Erik in Bandung, West Java, as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, December 24.

The churches carried out by sterilization include St. Peter's Cathedral Church on Jalan Merdeka, the Holy Cross Church on Jalan Kemuning, the HKBP Church on Jalan Riau.

Furthermore, the Indonesian Evangelical Church Hok Im Tong on Jalan Cikapayang Dago, the Indonesian Christian Church on Jalan Maulana Yusuf which held the Christmas Mass on Tuesday night.

Erik explained that sterilization is carried out thoroughly, covering the area in churches and places that will be used for worship events. This includes checking locations that are usually accessed by congregations or church guests.

"This sterilization is an effort to ensure that Christmas in the West Java region takes place safely and comfortably," he said.

The West Java Regional Police also appealed to the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious things to support the creation of a conducive atmosphere.

"A peaceful and safe Christmas is a common hope, not only for church congregants but also for all Indonesian people," said Erik.

Meanwhile, Bandung Police Chief Kombes Budi Sartono said his party also ensured the security of 149 other churches, with a security scale based on many or at least congregants who would worship at the church.

Budi said joint officers deployed 1,221 personnel to secure Christmas and New Year celebrations in Bandung City.

He explained that the thousands of personnel would be placed at several points of congestion, places of worship, shopping centers and crowded centers.

"The joint forces that carried out the security consisted of 659 Bandung Polrestabes personnel, 210 from the West Java Regional Police, 170 TNI personnel, and 180 related agencies," he said.