Standoff following Jakarta terrorist attack draws to a close

Several people including the attackers have been killed following the attacks.

The heightened security extended through Christmas and New Year’s before ending January 6. No one has claimed responsibility. In 2002, it was the victim of an attack on the popular resort island of Bali, which left 202 dead.

Thursday’s blasts were the first major attack in Jakarta since the twin bombings of the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels in 2009.

Images from the scene show the Starbucks cafe’s windows were blown out – and in startling footage that’s been posted online, an amateur video caught what seems to be another explosion that followed, occurring in clear view next to a parked van.

The attacks took place on Thamrin Street, a major thoroughfare in central Jakarta. The Istana Negara presidential palace is about 2km up the road. There were six explosions, local TV reported. In the same shopping plaza is a McDonald’s and other Western-style restaurants. The Pan-Pacific Hotel is also on the same block. Across the street is the United Nations office, and not much further up the block are government offices.

The country has been on high alert after authorities said they foiled a plot by Islamic militants to attack government officials, foreigners and others. National police chief General Badrodin Haiti sounded a similar warning.

Officials’ accounts of how many suspects had been “neutralised” varied however, between three and five. Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population, the vast majority of whom practise a moderate form of the religion. A woman, who hospital staff said was related to the dead police officer, came in crying, accompanied by a small child wearing an elementary school uniform.

Last month, anti-terror police arrested nine men and said the group had wanted to “perform a “concert” to attract worldwide news coverage of their existence here”. 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.

In a blog posting entitled “Lessons from the Paris Attacks” (Pelajaran dari Serangan Paris) days after the Nov 13 attacks past year, alleged mastermind Bahrun Naim urged his Indonesian audience to study the planning, targeting, timing, coordination, security and courage of the Paris attackers. The East Indonesian Mujahadeen has been the target of recent military operations.

Security forces plan to bring in 500 more policemen and soldiers to reinforce the 1,600 personnel looking for Santoso, who analysts say could be an inspiration for Indonesian militants returning from fighting with Islamic State in the Middle East. They declared that they had regained control of the area around 2:30 p.m. Jakarta time, about five hours after the attacks.