KABUL: (MEP) Successive explosions around the UN headquarters in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta killed at least four and wounded 10 others, the country’s media reports.
At least six blasts went off in the city in an apparent terrorist attack involving suicide bombers. Witnesses describe casualties, chaotic scenes, and exchanges of gunfire with police.
Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has just been on national TV saying the situation is under control, and is calling on people to remain calm.
Jokowi says: “The state, nation and people should not be afraid of, and lose to, such terror acts.”
According to an official Jakarta police Twitter account, one explosion went off outside a shopping center called the Sarinah mall.
Gunshots were heard as police approached after the mid-morning explosion in the area that also has many luxury hotels, embassies and offices.
“The gunfire had stopped but the attackers were still on the run, and police feared there would be more gunshots.” AFP quoted national police spokesman Anton Charliyan as saying Thursday.
There were 10 to 14 attackers involved in the Jakarta blasts, police said, adding that Islamic State militants might have been behind the deadly blasts.
“We have previously received a threat from Islamic State that Indonesia will be in the spotlight,” Charliyan added.
More details to be updated…
