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Jakarta: A massive explosion rocked downtown Jakarta in front of a popular shopping mall on Thursday and an Associated Press reporter saw at least one dead body. Gunshots were heard after the midmorning explosion in front of the Sarinah shopping mall and a police station. The area also has many luxury hotels, and offices and embassies, including the French. It was not clear who was shooting but police had cordoned off the area, preventing reporters from going near the scene. Witnesses said the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber, but there was no immediate confirmation of the claim. Indonesia has been a victim of several bombing attacks in the past, claimed by Islamic militant groups. The country has been on high alert after authorities said they had foiled a plot by Islamic militants to attack government officials, foreigners and others. About 150,000 police officers and soldiers were deployed during New Year’s Eve to guard churches, airports and other public places. More than 9,000 police were also deployed in Bali, the site of Indonesia’s deadliest terror attack, which killed 202 people in 2002. National Police spokesman Maj. Gen. Anton Charliyan said security is focused on anticipating attacks in vulnerable regions, including Jakarta. On Tuesday, the jailed radical Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir appealed to an Indonesia court to have his conviction for funding a terror training camp overturned, arguing that his support for the camp was an act of worship. The 77-year-old leader of the Jemaah Islamiyah militant network filed a judicial review of his 2011 conviction, when he was sentenced to 15 years in jail for setting up the camp in Aceh province. A higher court later cut the sentence to nine years. Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, has suffered a spate of deadly attacks by the Jemaah Islamiyah network in the past. But strikes in recent years have been smaller and less deadly, and have targeted government authorities, mainly police and anti-terrorism forces. AP
As it happened: Jakarta attack comes to an end as security forces take control, death toll at 7
A massive explosion has rocked downtown Jakarta in front of a popular shopping mall.
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Malaysia police on alert after Jakarta attack (AP)
Malaysia’s national police chief Khalid Abu Bakar says police have raised security alert to the highest level following the deadly attack in Jakarta.
He says security has been increased at public places such as shopping malls and tourists spots, “while extra precautionary actions will be implemented in border areas to prevent possible infiltration by terrorist elements.”
Malaysian authorities have detained more than 150 suspects linked to the Islamic State group over the past two years, including some who were allegedly plotting attacks in strategic areas of Kuala Lumpur. Last September, the U.S. Embassy warned of a potential terrorist threat at a popular hawker street and surrounding areas in the city.
Images emerge of damage done to the Starbucks cafe at the foot of the Skyline building.
Attackers probably connected to the Islamic State group: Police (AP)
Indonesia’s national police spokesman says the people who attacked a busy shopping area in downtown Jakarta were copying the recent Paris attacks and were probably connected to the Islamic State group.
Gen. Anton Charliyan said “They imitated the terror actions in Paris … they are likely from the (Islamic State) group.”
He said police had received information in late November about a warning from the Islamic State group that “there will be a concert” in Indonesia, meaning an attack.
Five of the attackers and two other people were killed in the attack Thursday near the Sarinah shopping mall.
Dutch man seriously wounded in Jakarta attack (AP)
The Netherlands’ foreign minister says that a Dutch man has been seriously wounded in the Jakarta attack.
Foreign Minister Bert Koenders says the attack shows that “terrorism can hit everybody. Whether you are shopping in the heart of Paris, in a New York office or on vacation in Jakarta.”
A ministry spokeswoman says that the Dutch citizen was undergoing surgery. She spoke on condition of anonymity in line with ministry policy.
The ministry did not release the man’s identity.
Indonesian police say five assailants and two other people have been confimed dead in the attack, which came after several warnings in recent weeks by the police that Islamic militants were planning something big. It was unclear if other perpetrators remained at large.
Close up of central Jakarta where several people have died in the attack
Roads to reopen soon
Deadly attacks in Indonesian capital Jakarta were not a complete surprise to Indonesian authorities (AP)
The deadly attacks Thursday in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, were not a complete surprise to Indonesian authorities, who warned last month of a credible threat.
The government had deployed 150,000 security personnel to safeguard churches, airports and other public places across the predominantly Muslim nation, and made a series of pre-emptive arrests. A series of arrests accompanied the warnings, as Indonesian police said they foiled a plot by suspected Muslim militants to kill government officials, law enforcement officers and others.
The heightened security extended through Christmas and New Year’s before ending 6 January.
It’s unclear whether Thursday’s attacks are related to the earlier reported threat. No one has claimed responsibility.
Dutch citizen among dead
Malaysian police on ‘highest security alert’ after Jakarta blasts
Attack ends, security forces in control (AP)
Jakarta police spokesman Col. Muhammad Iqbal says two other people have also been killed in the Thursday morning attack around the Sarinah shopping mall, the oldest in Jakarta on Thamarin Street.
He says: “We believe there are no more attackers around Sarinah. We have taken control.”
He says two of the attackers have been were killed by police but did not say how the others died.
It’s not clear if any more attackers are at large outside the Sarinah area.
Police had earlier said four attackers and three others were killed but later revised the numbers. Witnesses had also told The Associated Press that they saw five attackers.
Attack in downtown Jakarta ends, security forces in control
UK Foreign Office issues warning
The Skyline Building which also included the Starbucks cafe reportedly cleared
Malaysian PM Najib Razak offer condolences to Indonesia following the deadly blasts
Deputy police chief says foreign casualty at Starbucks
Fresh shooting reported in Jakarta by city based journalists
Jakarta attacks in busy area filled with Western brands (AP)
Thursday’s deadly attacks in Jakarta were focused on a Starbucks in the center of the Indonesian capital, in an area filled with offices and Western brands.
The attacks took place on Thamrin Street, a major thoroughfare in central Jakarta. The Istana Negara presidential palace is about 2 kilometers up the road.
Some of the explosions happened across from Sarinah department store, one of the first department stores in Jakarta. In the same shopping plaza is a McDonalds and other Western-style restaurants. The shopping center is popular among Indonesians and foreigners alike.
The Starbucks, across the street and on a corner, is in front of Jakarta Theater, a Pizza Hut and an office building. The Pan-Pacific Hotel is also on the same block. Across the street is the United Nations office, and not much further up the block are government offices.
Today’s Jakarta attack was an amateurish, “Four Lions-type” operation: Leading Indonesian security analyst.
No indications that IS militants were behind attack: Indonesian intelligence chief
“This is definitely terrorism but there are no indications yet that it’s ISIS related,” Sutiyoso, the head of the national intelligence agency in Indonesia, told Reuters.
Reports of explosions in other parts of Jakarta a media hoax: Police
Starbucks issues statement on the attack
Starbucks said one customer sustained injuries from an explosion in Jakarta and was treated on the scene while all employees are confirmed to be safe.
The company said in a statement initial reports suggest the explosion took place close to a store in the Skyline building near one of police posts in downtowm Jakarta.
It said, “We are deeply saddened by the senseless acts that have taken place in Jakarta today; our hearts are with the people of Indonesia.” It added that all stores in Jakarta will remain closed, out of an abundance of caution, until further notice. – Associated Press
Statement from Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Jakarta attacks
Jakarta police say 7 dead, including 4 attackers: AP
Jakarta police spokesman Col. Muhammad Iqbal says seven people including four attackers have been killed in the brazen attacks in the downtown capital.
He says police have recovered the bodies of the attackers, but it is not clear if more remain at large.
At least three explosions rocked downtown Jakarta Thursday midmorning followed by more than two hours of gunbattles.
A witness told The Associated Press that the explosions occurred inside a Starbucks cafe.
No indication Islamic State behind Indonesia attack – intelligence chief: Reuters
There were no indications that Islamic State militants were behind a gun and bomb attack in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, on Thursday, the head of the national intelligence agency told Reuters.
“This is definitely terrorism but there are no indications yet that it’s ISIS related,” said Sutiyoso.
At least 6 killed in the explosions: Reuters
Militants launched a gun and bomb assault killing at least six people in the centre of the Indonesian capital, police said, in an attack that followed a threat by Islamic State fighters to put the country in their “spotlight”.
Media said six bombs went off and a Reuters witness saw three dead people and a gunfight going on. One blast was in a Starbucks cafe and security forces were later seen entering the building.
Police said they suspected a suicide bomber was responsible for at least one of the blasts and up to 14 militant gunmen were involved in the attack, Metro TV reported.
Bomb explosion site
President says ‘situation under control’ (AP)
Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo says in a statement on national TV the situation is under control and is calling on people to remain calm.
Jokowi says: “The state, nation and people should not be afraid of, and lose to, such terror acts.”
He spoke after suspected Islamic militants detonated bombs and opened fire at police in downtown Jakarta, killing at least one policeman. An Associated Press photographer saw three more bodies lying in a sidewalk.
Jakarta explosions, shooting
UN staffer badly injured or killed: ABC
A contact inside the UN building has told the ABC a UN staffer has either been badly injured or killed during the incident.
He says the clearance operation is still going on and there are unconfirmed reports of more attacks in the area.
The UN building continues to be in lock down.
Indonesian president calls Jakarta blasts ‘acts of terror’
Fresh explosion reported near Starbucks cafe (AP)
An Associated Press reporter has heard an explosion from a cafe near the Starbucks that was attacked earlier. The explosion occurred after about 25 anti-terror squad police stormed the cafe.
There is no word on what happened to them, but after the explosion several other police and medical personnel in white overalls were seen running to the cafe.
Two ambulances also drove to the area, and were standing by.
Tanks arrive at blast scene in Jakarta
Australia’s ambassador to Indonesia Paul Grigson issues warning
Indonesian President orders security forces to hunt down the perpetrators behind the attacks (AP)
Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who is on a working visit in West Java town of Cirebon, has ordered security forces to hunt down the perpetrators and their network behind the attacks in Jakarta.
Jokowi says: “I have received reports some time ago about the explosion in Thamrin street Jakarta. We express condolence to those who became victims, but we all also condemn the attack that caused restless among the community.”
He says: he has ordered the national police chief and the minister for political and security affairs to hunt down and capture the perpetrators and those in their network.
Jokowi says he was cutting short his visit and retuning to the capital.
US Embassy issues emergency message
This emergency message is being issued to advise all U.S. citizens to avoid the area around Sari Pan Pacific Hotel and Sarinah Plaza on Jalan Sudirman Thamrin, in downtown Jakarta. Preliminary reports indicate an explosion and gunfire has occurred in the general vicinity and situation continues to unfold.
Jakarta police spokesman says they received an Islamic State warning in December