Militants launched multiple terror attacks in central Jakarta on Thursday (14 January). Authorities reported six dead, including four of the attackers. The attackers set off explosions at a Starbucks cafe in a bustling shopping area in the Indonesian capital, and waged running gun-battles with police.
The Jakarta Globe is reporting that police are still looking for gunmen, with the local Metro TV saying there were 14 armed militants involved in the attack. This is the first major violence that Indonesia's capital has witnessed since the 2009 bombings of two hotels that killed seven people and injured more than 50.
The national intelligence agency chief, Sutiyoso, claimed that there was no indication that Islamic State (Isis) militants had carried out the attack, although the attacks came shortly after a threat by IS (Daesh) fighters that they were planning their next act of terrorism. The warning had Indonesia on edge for weeks over the threat posed by Islamist militants, with counter-terrorism police launching a crackdown on people with suspected links to IS.
Police chase suspects thought to be hiding at a cafe after a series of blasts hit the Indonesia capital JakartaIsmoyo/ Getty ImagesIndonesian police hold rifles while walking behind a car for protection in JakartaBeawiharta/ ReutersIndonesian police search for suspects after a series blasts hit JakartaOscar Siagian/ Getty ImagesPeople in Jakarta fleeing the scene of one of the blasts that rocked the Indonesian capitalReutersPolice officers in Jakarta near the scene of the blast reactReuters
Several hours after the attacks began, witnesses described hearing more gunfire and at least one more explosion – one of which was inside a Starbucks cafe. Indonesian President Joko Widodo has condemned the attacks, saying that "Our nation and our people should not be afraid, we will not be defeated by these acts of terror, I hope the public stay calm. We all are grieving for the fallen victims of this incident."
He has urged the public not to be fearful and or speculate on who was behind the attack.
A police armoured personnel carrier is seen parked near the scene of an attack in central Jakarta, IndonesiaDarren Whiteside/ Reuters
Indonesian police search for suspects after a series blasts hit the Indonesian capitalOscar Siagian/ Getty Images
An Indonesian policeman stands guard in front of a blast site at the Indonesia capital JakartaOscar Siagian/ Getty Images
Indonesian policemen stands guard near the blast site after a series of explosions hit the Indonesia capitalOscar Siagian/ Getty Images
Indonesian police secure the scene next to victims (C-in orange body bags) outside a traffic police outpost after a series of explosions hit central JakartaRomeo Gacad/ Getty Images
Police and medics are seen near bodies at the scene of an explosion next to a police box in central JakartaDarren Whiteside/ Reuters
Body bags cover victims outside a traffic police outpost as police secure the area after a series of explosions hit central JakartaRomeo Gacad/ Getty Images
Police gather outside a restaurant near the scene of an attack in central Jakarta, IndonesiaBeawiharta/ Reuters
An Indonesian policeman carries a dog while patrolling at Thamrin business district in JakartaBeawiharta/ ReutersIndonesian armed military patrol the area near cafe after a series of blasts hit Jakarta on January 14, 2016. An attack on Jakarta is over and no more perpertators are at large, police said on January 14, after gunfire and explosions left seven dead in the Indonesian capitalGettyIndonesia's chief security minister Luhut Pandjaitan (C) visits the site of an attack in central JakartaDarren Whiteside/ ReutersAn Indonesian policeman holds a weapon while walking near a broken glass window from a Starbucks outlet in JakartaBeawiharta/ ReutersIndonesian policemen guard the blast site after a series of explosions hit the Indonesia capitalOscar Siagian/ Getty ImagesA view of the blast site after a series of explosions hit the Indonesia capitalOscar Siagian/ Getty ImagesIndonesian policemen investigate the blast site after a series of explosions hit the Indonesia capitalOscar Siagian/ Getty ImagesMilitary armoured personnel carriers are seen near the site of an attack in central JakartaDarren Whiteside/ ReutersA member of the police bomb squad unit approaches the scene of an explosion following an attack on a police box in central JakartaAgung Rajasa/ ReutersAn Indonesian policeman wearing a protective bomb suit approaches bomb damaged traffic police outposts after a series of explosions hit central JakartaRomeo Gacad/ Getty ImagesIndonesian police commandos arrive near a damaged Starbucks coffee shop after a series of explosions hit central JakartaRomeo Gacad/ Getty ImagesIndonesian policemen stand guard at the entrance of a Jakarta theater, next to a Starbucks coffee shop after a series of explosions hit central JakartaAdek Berry/ Getty ImagesIndonesian armed police clear the area near a Starbucks after a series of blasts hit JakartaBay Ismoyo/ Getty Images
