Explosive goes off at Buddhist temple in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia — A low-powered explosive detonated at a Buddhist temple in Indonesia’s capital as devotees inside were praying, injuring one person while another bomb that was set failed to go off, police said Sunday.

The explosion happened Sunday night at the Ekayana Grha Buddhist temple in West Jakarta, chief of National Police Detective Lt. Gen. Sutarman told reporters. The bombs were apparently placed outside the building, and the blast caused minimal damage. Police were investigating and continuing to sweep the area, said Sutarman, who uses only one name like many Indonesians.

Militants in Indonesia angered over sectarian violence between Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar have threatened to attack Buddhist temples here. In May, two men were arrested with low explosives in a backpack as part of an alleged plot to bomb the Myanmar Embassy in Jakarta.

The incident occurred days ahead of festivities planned to celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim nation.