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| Edited By: DNA Web Team |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Jan 14, 2016, 04:54 PM IST
A series of bombs killed at least six people including three police in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Thursday, with shots fired outside a cafe as security forces moved in, police and witnesses said.
The explosions were close to a shopping centre, the Sarinah, where bodies were seen strewn on the ground.
Indonesian police shot dead four suspected militants who were part of a bomb and gun attack, a police spokesman said.
"We are sterilising the building from basement to top," Iqbal Kabid told reporters, explaining that a gunbattle between the attackers and police took place in a cinema that is in the same building as a Starbucks cafe that was attacked.
Police snipers were deployed among hundreds of other security officers, some in armoured vehicles. A bomb disposal unit was seen entering the building where the Starbucks is located, which also houses a cinema.
An office worker in a building above the Starbucks cafe, who declined to be identified, said he and fellow workers had been ordered to stay put after the first blast.
"That's when I heard the second explosion. It was loud and powerful," he said.
Indonesia has been on edge for weeks over the threat posed by Islamist militants and counter-terrorism police have launched a crackdown on people with suspected links to Islamic State.
Although the Jakarta police chief Tito Karnavian said that the Islamist militant group Islamic State is "definitely" behind the attack on Indonesia's capital, the head of the national intelligence agency gave a contradictory statement.
The intelligence chief said that there were no indications that Islamic State militants were behind a gun and bomb attack in Jakarta. Sutiyoso said, "This is definitely terrorism but there are no indications yet that it's ISIS related."
Four suspected attackers dead in Jakarta, area being secured: Police
Indonesian police shot dead four suspected militants who were part of a bomb and gun attack in the capital, Jakarta, on Thursday and the area is being secured, a police spokesman said.
"We are sterilising the building from basement to top," Iqbal Kabid told reporters, explaining that a gunbattle between the attackers and police took place in a cinema that is in the same building as a Starbucks cafe that was attacked.
"We will declare the situation secure soon," he said. (Reuters)
Tanks arrive at blast scene in Jakarta #jakartabombing pic.twitter.com/yiqxI3h1on
— Samantha Hawley (@samanthahawley) January 14, 2016
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.
Indonesian president calls #Jakarta blasts 'acts of terror': Agence France-Presse
* Indonesian police say cannot confirm explosion took place in west Jakarta suburb of Palmerah
* Indonesia police spokesman says 3 police and 3 civilians dead in Jakarta attack
Indonesia police say around 10-14 gunmen involved in central Jakarta attack - Metro TV
According to media reports, local police in Jakarta says upto 14 gunmen involved in bombings and gunfire.
(Image Courtesy: Twitter )
Still tense in centre Jakarta. Police edgy. Can see three bodies. Terrible scene. Multiple blasts reported pic.twitter.com/3sz7sqeuGs
— Samantha Hawley (@samanthahawley) January 14, 2016
#Breaking: Video of the moment of explosion in #Jakarta – @robetbet pic.twitter.com/wrIR7DnbIi
— World Aggregate News (@WAGGNews) January 14, 2016
Video via @jokoanwar pic.twitter.com/tizTR0woXb close to scene of multiple bombings in Jakarta Indonesia
— Khalid Khan™ (@khalidkhan787) January 14, 2016
Taking to micro-blogging site, United Nations Regional Representative Jeremy Douglas said, "A massive #bomb went off in front of our new #Indonesia office as @collie_brown & I exit car. Chaos & we're going into lock-down."
Apparent #suicidebomber literally 100m from the office and my hotel. Now gunfire
— Jeremy Douglas (@jdouglasSEA) January 14, 2016
Serious exchange of fire in downtown #Jakarta. Didn't experience this in 3.5 years in #Pakistan
— Jeremy Douglas (@jdouglasSEA) January 14, 2016
Police now backing-up & security announcement to stay away from windows, & telling folks to retreat from lobby
— Jeremy Douglas (@jdouglasSEA) January 14, 2016
