Explosion in Jakarta leaves at least 1 dead

The windows of the cafe had been blown out.

Other suspects are being pursued by Indonesian authorities, the statement read.

The ISIS-linked ‘Amaq News Agency claims the group was behind the attacks.

Separately, Indonesian police said they suspected a local group allied to IS was to blame. Jokowi said he was cutting short his visit and returning to the capital.

Two Western hotels in Jakarta were bombed in 2009, and more than 200 people were killed in 2002 at a nightclub on the tourist island of Bali.

Mr Seranto said the two other attackers, who were carrying handguns, entered a nearby police post from where he heard gunfire.

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs said one of its nationals was wounded but could not confirm reports by the Indonesian authority about the death of a Dutch national.

– September 13, 2000: A auto bomb explodes inside the garage of the Jakarta Stock Exchange building, killing 10 people and injuring 16.

Indonesia has been on alert over the threat of attacks by Takfiri groups and police have launched a crackdown on people with suspected links to the extremists.

The area also has many luxury hotels, and offices and consulates, including the French embassy.

Witness Habi Ismail said he heard at least three blasts: “I went into the shop, ordered my drinks and sat there, you can still see my cup”.

Christian Hubel, a witness, told CNN he and his colleagues heard five or six explosions in succession. It sparked huge police operations around New Year’s Eve and deputy police chief Budi Gunawan said tight security during celebrations may have forced terrorists to move the attack to today.

‘Whatever the motive is, we condemn the act of terror that has disturbed the public’s peace’.

At least three bombs exploded near a Starbucks cafe in downtown Jakarta on Thursday while gunmen also attacked a police post and other locations in Indonesia’s capital. “We have taken control”, Jakarta police spokesman Col. Muhammad Iqbal said.

In the attack earlier in the day, 7 people were killed including 4 civilians and 3 police personnel.

Jakarta police state that they received information in late November indicating that “there will be a concert” in Indonesia, meaning there would be an attack, according to a report from the New York Times.

It appears they are pinned down by armed police officers.

The attacks come two days after jailed Islamic leader Abu Bakar Bashir appealed to a court to have his conviction for funding a “terrorist training camp” overturned.

Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world but it has a secular government.

Indonesia has suffered a spate of deadly attacks by the Jemaah Islamiyah network in the past.

“In recent years, Indonesian security forces have effectively kept domestic terrorism in check, and they have killed or jailed many militants”.