Explosion in Jakarta leaves at least 1 dead; gunfire heard

Police say some rode by on motorcycles and threw grenades, and a seventh explosion was later heard at the Starbucks after anti-terror police went inside.

Among the dead were a police officer and foreign national.

Till now, no one has claimed responsibility of the attack, but the initial reports of ISIS role behind the attack has been shunned by thew police. There were six explosions, local TV reported. “I saw people running away and two people lying on the ground bleeding”, he said.

It is estimated that 500 to 700 Indonesians have joined the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group in Iraq and Syria and the government has expressed concern their return home could spark attacks. This store and all other Starbucks stores in Jakarta will remain closed, out of an abundance of caution, until further notice.

“The state, the nation and the people should not be afraid of, and lose to, such terror acts”.

In the immediate aftermath of the blasts, witnesses said they saw at least six bodies in the area, although it is now known which of them may have been the suicide bombers.

Gunmen who turned Jalan Thamrin into a warzone in their fight with police are suspected to have barricaded themselves in the Skyline building, close to the cordoned-off shopping district, the Jakarta Globe reports.

Budi Gunawan, deputy chief of Indonesian National Police, told reporters that 10 others, including another foreigner, were injured.

Google MapsIndonesia has been on edge in recent weeks over the threat posed by Islamist militants and counter-terrorism police have launched a crackdown on people with suspected links to the Islamic State.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has called for calm but condemned the “act of terror”.

About two hours later, another explosion was heard from a cafe near the Starbucks, about five minutes after 25 anti-terror police entered. “We have taken control”, Iqbal said, adding that two of the assailants were killed by police but did not elaborate on how the others had died.

Charilyan 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.

Anton Alifandi, principal terror analyst at IHS Country Risk, said Thursday’s attack was the most serious in Jakarta since the July 2009 bombing of the JW Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton hotels. Media said a police post outside the mall was blown up.

Douglas said armored personnel carriers and tactical teams had cordoned off the area.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, has been a victim of several bombing attacks in the past, claimed by Islamic militant groups.

Police snipers were deployed among hundreds of other security officers, some in armored vehicles.