More explosions reported in Jakarta

A large explosion and gunshots were reported Thursday near a popular shopping mall in Jakarta, Indonesia.

At least one of the blasts hit a police outpost on the middle of the street, with police confirming to Detik that one police officer died from the explosion.

He said police and broadcasting announcements for people to stay away from windows. I see three dead people on the road.

It is also quoting local media that a further three explosions may have taken place.

He also heard “a serious exchange of [gun]fire in the street”, the likes of which he hadn’t even heard when stationed in Pakistan.

It was not clear who was shooting and police cordoned off the area.

The UN employee claimed to have seen a suicide bomber 100 metres from the UN office and his hotel, but this information has not been independently verified or confirmed through corroborating reports.

“A short time ago about 12 police shielded themselves behind a auto and as the vehicle moved along they moved along behind it so it does suggest there’s still a threat”, she said.

She said the blasts had happened in one of the main city centre areas, about 50 metres from the United Nations building, near the main roundabout and close to the ABC offices.

Police have been largely successful in destroying domestic militant cells since then, but officials have more recently been worrying about a resurgence inspired by groups such as Islamic State and Indonesians who return after fighting with the group.

National Police spokesman Maj.

Hawley said warnings had been issued by Indonesian security authorities late a year ago about the danger of attacks.

On Tuesday, jailed radical Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir appealed to an Indonesia court to have his conviction for funding a terror training camp overturned, arguing that his support for the camp was an act of worship. A higher court later reduced the sentence to nine years.