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Jakarta bombings: multiple fatalities after Indonesian capital hit by 'suicide attacks' Jakarta bombings: multiple fatalities after Indonesian capital hit by 'suicide attacks'
(35 minutes later)
Up to six blasts and multiple gunfights were reported in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Thursday, including one outside the United Nations building in the centre of the capital. Up to seven blasts and multiple gunfights hit the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Thursday, including one outside the United Nations building in the centre of the capital, leaving at least six people dead.
Images from the one of the city’s busiest precincts showed a small police booth in the middle of one of Jakarta’s main roads, twisted by an explosion with three bodies lying in the street. Another shot showed smoke rising in front of a Starbucks cafe.Images from the one of the city’s busiest precincts showed a small police booth in the middle of one of Jakarta’s main roads, twisted by an explosion with three bodies lying in the street. Another shot showed smoke rising in front of a Starbucks cafe.
Related: Jakarta explosions: at least four reported dead as blasts and gunfire rock capital – rolling reportRelated: Jakarta explosions: at least four reported dead as blasts and gunfire rock capital – rolling report
An official Jakarta police Twitter account said one explosion went off in front of a shopping centre called the Sarinah mall.An official Jakarta police Twitter account said one explosion went off in front of a shopping centre called the Sarinah mall.
Police are reported to have put preliminary casualty figures at four people dead and two injured. Reuters news agency reported the gun and bomb assault had killed six people, citing the police. The local Metro TV said 14 gunmen were involved in the attack.
However the attacks are ongoing with gunfire being heard in the area and reports that as many as six attackers were inside a nearby building. However, the attacks are ongoing with gunfire being heard in the area and reports that as many as six attackers remained inside a nearby building.
The Associated Press talked to one witness Tri Seranto, a bank security guard, who saw at least five attackers, including three suicide bombers who exploded themselves in a Starbucks cafe.The Associated Press talked to one witness Tri Seranto, a bank security guard, who saw at least five attackers, including three suicide bombers who exploded themselves in a Starbucks cafe.
He said he was out on the street when he saw the three men entering Starbucks and saw them blowing themselves up one by one. He said the other two attackers, carrying handguns, entered a police post from where he heard gunfire. He said he was out on the street when he noticed the three men entering Starbucks and saw them blowing themselves up one by one. He said the other two attackers, carrying handguns, entered a police post from where he heard gunfire.
UN regional representative, Jeremy Douglas, said he was exiting his car by the UN office when a “massive bomb” detonated.UN regional representative, Jeremy Douglas, said he was exiting his car by the UN office when a “massive bomb” detonated.
“Chaos & we’re going into lock-down,” he said on Twitter. “Apparent suicide bomber literally 100m from the office and my hotel. Now gunfire,” he adding, saying that he heard six explosions and an ensuing gunfight between police and the attackers.“Chaos & we’re going into lock-down,” he said on Twitter. “Apparent suicide bomber literally 100m from the office and my hotel. Now gunfire,” he adding, saying that he heard six explosions and an ensuing gunfight between police and the attackers.
Serious exchange of fire in downtown #Jakarta. Didn't experience this in 3.5 years in #PakistanSerious exchange of fire in downtown #Jakarta. Didn't experience this in 3.5 years in #Pakistan
No group immediately claimed the attack. Edward Rees, a UN worker based in Pakistan who was visiting Jakarta, told the Guardian his colleagues in the Jakarta office heard the explosion. “They are holed up in the office awaiting instructions on what to do next.”
It is estimated that 500 to 700 Indonesia have joined the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and the government has expressed concern their return home could spark attacks. Several separatist groups also operate in the country. No group immediately claimed the attack. Helicopters circled the area, an upscale neighbourhood where there are luxury hotels and embassies that was cordoned off by the police.
“We have previously received a threat from Islamic State that Indonesia will be the spotlight,” police spokesman Anton Charliyan told journalists. He said police did not yet know who was responsible.
It is estimated that 500 to 700 Indonesians have joined the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and the government has expressed concern their return home could spark attacks. Separatist groups also operate in the country.
Indonesia suffered its deadliest attack in 2002, when 202 people were killed in three bomb attacks in the tourist hotspot Bali. Several members of Jemaah Islamiyeh, a violent Islamist militia, were convicted.
Major bomb attacks by extremist groups followed until 2009 when a crackdown weakened their operations. The emergence of Islamic State in Syria and Iraq has raised concerns that the networks will be reinforced.
Authorities have increasingly raise alerts after multiple bomb threats last year.
Police said they foiled a major plot with the arrest of several men allegedly linked to planned suicide bombings in the capital during New Year’s Eve celebrations. Raids across a number of cities led to the seizure of bomb making materials and a flag similar to the Islamic State emblem.
Up to 150,000 police and soldiers were deployed across the country on the last day of the year.
As the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, Indonesian religious and civil society organisations have stepped up campaigns to fight the spread of violent extremism.Neighbouring Malaysia and the Philippines have also focused resources on battling Islamic State, which hopes to spread its influence through partnering with domestic militias abroad.