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Indonesian police arrested five people on Sunday in connection with a thwarted attack that was allegedly targeting foreign visitors and diplomats in Jakarta, police officials said on Wednesday.

The five suspects, all Indonesian nationals, were detained during early morning raids in the capital and its neighboring town of Bekasi. Authorities seized homemade bombs, firearms, and documents outlining plans to target diplomatic facilities in Jakarta’s central business district.

“The suspects were in the final stages of planning an attack on foreign interests in Jakarta,” said National Police spokesperson Ahmad Ramadhan during a press conference. “Intelligence gathered over several weeks allowed us to intervene before they could execute their plans.”

According to police, the group had conducted surveillance of several embassies and international hotels in the capital. Investigators found detailed maps, photographs, and attack scenarios during searches of the suspects’ homes.

Ramadhan confirmed that the suspects had pledged allegiance to a foreign terrorist organization, though he declined to specify which one, citing ongoing investigations. “They were part of a sleeper cell that had been radicalized primarily through online channels,” he added.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, has struggled with militant attacks for decades. The country experienced a series of major terrorist incidents in the early 2000s, including the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists.

While large-scale attacks have become less frequent in recent years due to successful counter-terrorism operations, authorities remain vigilant against extremist threats. The national counter-terrorism agency, BNPT, has repeatedly warned about the rising trend of self-radicalization through online platforms during the pandemic period.

Security analysts note that this latest plot follows a pattern of smaller, less sophisticated but potentially deadly attack plans that have been disrupted by authorities in recent years.

“What’s concerning is how quickly these cells can form and prepare attacks,” said Sidney Jones, director of the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict in Jakarta. “Even with Indonesia’s improved counter-terrorism capabilities, the threat remains persistent.”

Among the evidence recovered during the raids were bomb-making materials, including explosive precursors, detonators, and shrapnel. Police also found propaganda materials and communication devices containing encrypted messages between the suspects and their alleged handlers abroad.

The suspects, whose identities have not been released pending formal charges, face potential life sentences under Indonesia’s anti-terrorism laws if convicted.

Foreign embassies in Jakarta have been advised to review their security protocols, though authorities stressed there is no immediate threat following the arrests. The U.S. Embassy acknowledged the situation in a brief statement, thanking Indonesian authorities for their “swift and professional actions.”

Tourism industry representatives expressed concern about potential impacts on Indonesia’s recovering visitor numbers. The sector, which accounts for roughly 4% of Indonesia’s GDP, has only recently begun to rebound from pandemic-related travel restrictions.

“We’re grateful for the work of our security forces,” said Hariyadi Sukamdani, chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association. “Maintaining safety is essential for restoring confidence among international travelers.”

President Joko Widodo commented briefly on the arrests during an unrelated event, reiterating that terrorism has “no place in Indonesia” and praising the coordination between intelligence agencies and police.

The investigation remains active as authorities work to determine if other individuals were involved in the plot and whether the cell has connections to other extremist networks operating in Southeast Asia.