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Bali bomb squad detonates device in backpack

A bomb squad on the Indonesian island of Bali managed to safely detonate a crude bomb made up of explosives, fireworks, pipes and nails yesterday in the popular tourist district of Ubud.

A bomb squad on the Indonesian island of Bali managed to safely detonate a crude bomb made up of explosives, fireworks, pipes and nails yesterday in the popular tourist district of Ubud.

“This is a low-explosive bomb,” said Gianyar district police chief Waluya, who goes by one name. “Bali’s anti-bomb squad destroyed it before it exploded … Our task now is to hunt for (the perpetrator).”

He said an unattended backpack was found yesterday morning in front of a food stall at Kedewatan, a subdistrict in Ubud.

It was reported that the food stall’s owner, identified as I Ketut Suela, found the bag with an attached note bearing the word “bomb” when he was about to open his stall.

After asking people to move away from his stall, Mr Suela reported the matter to the village authorities, who later called the police.

Mr Waluya said the backpack contained a passport and an ATM card belonging to a Dutch tourist who had lost his bag in Ubud on Monday and reported it missing yesterday morning. The tourist was not considered a suspect.

“We are tracing the bag from where it went missing to where it was found, and we are also questioning witnesses.”

Security is usually stepped up in Indonesia at this time of year, following attacks in previous years during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Bali has suffered two major attacks, including nightclub bombings in 2002 that killed 202 people, and suicide attacks in 2005 that killed 20 and injured more than 100 others. AGENCIES

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