10 years after Bali, Indonesian terror attacks on rise, but militants showing less skill

BALI, Indonesia – Ten years after terrorist attacks at two Bali nightclubs killed more than 200 people, mostly foreign tourists, Indonesia has won praise for its counterterrorism efforts. Militant organizations have been fractured and many of their charismatic leaders have been killed or jailed.

But an Associated Press analysis shows the number of strikes within the country has actually gone up, especially since 2010, when radical imams called on their followers to focus on domestic targets rather than Westerners. The more recent attacks have been conducted with less expertise.

Since Oct. 12, 2002, when the Bali attacks killed 202 people, there have been four major terror strikes targeting Westerners in Indonesia.

That compares to 15 attacks against security forces, local authorities, Christians and some moderate Muslims in just the past two years.