As it happened: Jakarta terror attack comes to an end as security forces take control, death toll at 7
Jan 14, 2016
15:08 (IST)
Malaysia police on alert after Jakarta attack (AP)
Malaysia's national police chief Khalid Abu Bakar says police have raised security alert to the highest level following the deadly attack in Jakarta.
He says security has been increased at public places such as shopping malls and tourists spots, "while extra precautionary actions will be implemented in border areas to prevent possible infiltration by terrorist elements."
Malaysian authorities have detained more than 150 suspects linked to the Islamic State group over the past two years, including some who were allegedly plotting attacks in strategic areas of Kuala Lumpur. Last September, the U.S. Embassy warned of a potential terrorist threat at a popular hawker street and surrounding areas in the city.
15:03 (IST)
Images emerge of damage done to the Starbucks cafe at the foot of the Skyline building.
14:53 (IST)
Attackers probably connected to the Islamic State group: Police (AP)
Indonesia's national police spokesman says the people who attacked a busy shopping area in downtown Jakarta were copying the recent Paris attacks and were probably connected to the Islamic State group.
Gen. Anton Charliyan said "They imitated the terror actions in Paris ... they are likely from the (Islamic State) group."
He 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.
Five of the attackers and two other people were killed in the attack Thursday near the Sarinah shopping mall.
14:41 (IST)
Dutch man seriously wounded in Jakarta attack (AP)
The Netherlands' foreign minister says that a Dutch man has been seriously wounded in the Jakarta attack.
Foreign Minister Bert Koenders says the attack shows that "terrorism can hit everybody. Whether you are shopping in the heart of Paris, in a New York office or on vacation in Jakarta."
A ministry spokeswoman says that the Dutch citizen was undergoing surgery. She spoke on condition of anonymity in line with ministry policy.
The ministry did not release the man's identity.
Indonesian police say five assailants and two other people have been confimed dead in the attack, which came after several warnings in recent weeks by the police that Islamic militants were planning something big. It was unclear if other perpetrators remained at large.
14:35 (IST)
Indonesian police say Jakarta attackers imitated 'terror actions' in Paris: AP
14:33 (IST)
Close up of central Jakarta where several people have died in the attack
14:31 (IST)
Roads to reopen soon
14:25 (IST)
Deadly attacks in Indonesian capital Jakarta were not a complete surprise to Indonesian authorities (AP)
The deadly attacks Thursday in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, were not a complete surprise to Indonesian authorities, who warned last month of a credible threat.
The government had deployed 150,000 security personnel to safeguard churches, airports and other public places across the predominantly Muslim nation, and made a series of pre-emptive arrests. A series of arrests accompanied the warnings, as Indonesian police said they foiled a plot by suspected Muslim militants to kill government officials, law enforcement officers and others.
The heightened security extended through Christmas and New Year's before ending 6 January.
It's unclear whether Thursday's attacks are related to the earlier reported threat. No one has claimed responsibility.
14:22 (IST)
Dutch citizen among dead
14:18 (IST)
Malaysian police on 'highest security alert' after Jakarta blasts
Jakarta: A massive explosion rocked downtown Jakarta in front of a popular shopping mall on Thursday and an Associated Press reporter saw at least one dead body.
Gunshots were heard after the midmorning explosion in front of the Sarinah shopping mall and a police station. The area also has many luxury hotels, and offices and embassies, including the French.
It was not clear who was shooting but police had cordoned off the area, preventing reporters from going near the scene.
Witnesses said the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber, but there was no immediate confirmation of the claim.
Indonesia has been a victim of several bombing attacks in the past, claimed by Islamic militant groups.
The country has been on high alert after authorities said they had foiled a plot by Islamic militants to attack government officials, foreigners and others. About 150,000 police officers and soldiers were deployed during New Year's Eve to guard churches, airports and other public places.
More than 9,000 police were also deployed in Bali, the site of Indonesia's deadliest terror attack, which killed 202 people in 2002.
National Police spokesman Maj. Gen. Anton Charliyan said security is focused on anticipating attacks in vulnerable regions, including Jakarta.
On Tuesday, the 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.
The 77-year-old leader of the Jemaah Islamiyah militant network filed a judicial review of his 2011 conviction, when he was sentenced to 15 years in jail for setting up the camp in Aceh province. A higher court later cut the sentence to nine years.
Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, has suffered a spate of deadly attacks by the Jemaah Islamiyah network in the past. But strikes in recent years have been smaller and less deadly, and have targeted government authorities, mainly police and anti-terrorism forces.
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