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Jakarta attacks: Islamic State responsible, police say Jakarta attacks: Islamic State says it was responsible
(35 minutes later)
The so-called Islamic State (IS) was behind a series of explosions and gun attacks in the capital Jakarta, an IS-linked news agency and police say. The so-called Islamic State (IS) has said it was behind a series of explosions and gun attacks in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.
At least two civilians and five attackers died in the assaults, described as an attempt to mimic the deadly Paris attacks.At least two civilians and five attackers died in the assaults, described as an attempt to mimic the deadly Paris attacks.
Security forces battled militants for hours, with the attacks centring on a major business and shopping district. Security forces battled militants for hours in a major business and shopping district.
It follows warnings late last year that Islamists were planning a major attack.It follows warnings late last year that Islamists were planning a major attack.
"Islamic State fighters carried out an armed attack this morning targeting foreign nationals and the security forces charged with protecting them in the Indonesian capital," the IS-linked news agency Aamaq reported."Islamic State fighters carried out an armed attack this morning targeting foreign nationals and the security forces charged with protecting them in the Indonesian capital," the IS-linked news agency Aamaq reported.
Jakarta Police chief Tito Karnavian said Indonesian national Bahrun Naim, currently thought to be in Syria, had been "planning this for a while".Jakarta Police chief Tito Karnavian said Indonesian national Bahrun Naim, currently thought to be in Syria, had been "planning this for a while".
National police spokesman Anton Charliyan said the perpetrators had "imitated" the Paris attacks, saying the authorities suspected a local group affiliated to IS. It is not clear who he was referring to. At the scene: BBC's Ali Moore in Jakarta
He said police had received warnings in November from IS they were planning a "concert in Indonesia", meaning an attack. If you didn't know and didn't look too closely, you could be standing near the site of today's bombings in Jakarta and have no idea this country has just experienced its worst terror attack since 2009. Nine hours after it began, the street has been swept, the blood washed away, and the traffic is flowing.
Two of the attackers were killed in a suicide bombing, police said, with the other three killed in gun battles with police. But look closer and there's a hole in the road where suicide bomb went off. The traffic is lighter than usual and the street food hawkers are doing a less than brisk trade, even though dozens of people are milling around, having a look - staring at the condolence flowers laid in the centre of the intersection.
A Canadian and an Indonesian national also died. Many here have been worried about the rise of IS and what that means for home-grown terror groups. Today perhaps they got the beginnings of an answer.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has called on his country not to be defeated by "these acts of terror".
Several foreign governments advise caution while visiting Indonesia, with the UK Foreign Office urging its nationals to "maintain vigilance" after the attacks.
New danger for security services, by BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner
The attack on the Indonesian capital is sadly part of a pattern that has been repeating itself in several cities around the world in recent months.
Istanbul, Paris and now Jakarta have all experienced what counter-terrorism officials classify as a "Marauding Terrorist Firearms Attack", or MTFA for short.
In other words, police forces have had to react quickly to the sudden appearance of an unknown number of gunmen rampaging through the heart of an urban area, intent on killing as many people as possible and securing themselves maximum publicity.
The aim for the authorities in each case is to bring the situation under control as fast as possible with minimal loss of life, something that UK and other forces have been rehearsing since the disastrous Mumbai siege of 2008.
But preventing such attacks requires better intelligence and needs more effective sharing of information among the people who need to know it.
The assault began late morning local time, when blasts struck near a Starbucks cafe and police security post, in an area close to embassies and government buildings.The assault began late morning local time, when blasts struck near a Starbucks cafe and police security post, in an area close to embassies and government buildings.
"There was lot of commotion, a lot of craziness," said Rob Phillips, an English teacher who lives in the area."There was lot of commotion, a lot of craziness," said Rob Phillips, an English teacher who lives in the area.
"We heard a large bang. We thought it was thunder because the storms here are pretty big.""We heard a large bang. We thought it was thunder because the storms here are pretty big."
Gunmen fled to the Djakarta Theater, part of the same complex that houses the Starbucks, where a standoff developed with police.Gunmen fled to the Djakarta Theater, part of the same complex that houses the Starbucks, where a standoff developed with police.
Explosions and gunfire rang out for hours before police declared the situation under control.Explosions and gunfire rang out for hours before police declared the situation under control.
Bodies of the militants killed were left sprawling in the street. Police said 20 people were injured in the attacks, including five police officers.Bodies of the militants killed were left sprawling in the street. Police said 20 people were injured in the attacks, including five police officers.
New danger for security services, by BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner
The attack on the Indonesian capital is sadly part of a pattern that has been repeating itself in several cities around the world in recent months.
Istanbul, Paris and now Jakarta have all experienced what counter-terrorism officials classify as a "Marauding Terrorist Firearms Attack", or MTFA for short.
In other words, police forces have had to react quickly to the sudden appearance of an unknown number of gunmen rampaging through the heart of an urban area, intent on killing as many people as possible and securing themselves maximum publicity.
The aim for the authorities in each case is to bring the situation under control as fast as possible with minimal loss of life, something that UK and other forces have been rehearsing since the disastrous Mumbai siege of 2008.
But preventing such attacks requires better intelligence and needs more effective sharing of information among the people who need to know it.
National police spokesman Anton Charliyan said the perpetrators had "imitated" the Paris attacks.
He said police had received warnings in November from IS they were planning a "concert in Indonesia", meaning an attack.
Two of the attackers were killed in a suicide bombing, police said, with the other three killed in gun battles with police.
A Canadian and an Indonesian national, both civilians, also died.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has called on his country not to be defeated by "these acts of terror".
Several foreign governments advise caution while visiting Indonesia, with the UK Foreign Office urging its nationals to "maintain vigilance" after the attacks.
Islamist attacks in IndonesiaIslamist attacks in Indonesia
Indonesia has suffered militant attacks in the past, but has been relatively successful in curbing home-grown Islamist extremism after a spate of attacks in the last decade. Some of the deadliest include:Indonesia has suffered militant attacks in the past, but has been relatively successful in curbing home-grown Islamist extremism after a spate of attacks in the last decade. Some of the deadliest include:
Is Indonesia winning its fight against Islamic extremism?Is Indonesia winning its fight against Islamic extremism?
The Islamic State threat in South East AsiaThe Islamic State threat in South East Asia
Indonesia was on high alert over the new year period after threats from the so-called Islamic State (IS). Indonesia was on high alert over the new year period after threats from IS.
Up to 200 Indonesians are estimated to have gone to Syria to fight with IS.Up to 200 Indonesians are estimated to have gone to Syria to fight with IS.
Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation but is largely secular, although in recent years the threat of radicalism has remained high as small networks of militants are still thought to be operating in the country.Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation but is largely secular, although in recent years the threat of radicalism has remained high as small networks of militants are still thought to be operating in the country.
Are you in Jakarta? Have you been affected? If it is safe to do so, let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you in Jakarta? Have you been affected? If it is safe to do so, let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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