Two months after the Paris explosions of November 13, it appears terrorism has struck again, this time in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta where moments ago, at least six bomb explosions, gunfire and casualties were reported (AFP is reporting three dead but this is unconfirmed), with at least one of the explosions taking place near the local UN office.
- *JAKARTA POLICE RECEIVED THREAT FROM ISLAMIC STATE: METRO TV
- ANTARA NEWS REPORTS SIX EXPLOSIONS IN CENTRAL JAKARTA
- *JAKARTA POLICE SAYS GUNMEN STATIONED ATOP BUILDING: METRO TV
- JAKARTA POLICE SUSPECTS BOMB AT TRAFFIC POLICE POST: METRO TV
- JAKARTA POLICE, GUNMEN CONTINUES SHOOTING: METRO TV
- AT LEAST 3 VICTIMS IN CENTRAL JAKARTA EXPLOSIONS: METRO TV
- *POLICE SAYS ABT. 10-14 GUNMEN SEEN IN CENTRAL JAKARTA: METRO TV
- *JAKARTA SAYS 1 POLICE OFFICER KILLED IN EXPLOSION: METRO TV
- *INDONESIA POLICE SAYS GRENADE CAUSED EXPLOSION: CNN INDONESIA
One witness claimed men on motorbikes threw grenades.
The moment of one of the explosions...
Video amatir detik ledakan Sarinah jalan MH Thamrin. #BomSarinah [4] #BreakingNews [5] #JakartaBombing [6] #JakartaBlasts [7] pic.twitter.com/Jkr1izBjG7 [8]
— Bhirawa Mbani (@bhirmbani) January 14, 2016 [9]
As AP reports,
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.
At least one police officer has been wounded:
[10]
* * *
BREAKING: Massive explosion rocks central Jakarta, with at least 1 person dead; Gunshots heard.
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 14, 2016 [11]
What we hear so far. Unconfirmed reports: 1. Multiple IEDs activated. 2. Active shooters present. 3. One (or more) KIA #JakartaBlast [12]
— Ruli Harahap (@ruliharahap) January 14, 2016 [13]
#INDONESIA [14]'S NATIONAL POLICE SPOKESMAN SAYS CENTRAL #JAKARTA [15] #EXPLOSIONS [16] SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT BY #SUICIDE [17] BOMBER @Reuters [18]
— Global Markets Forum (@ReutersGMF) January 14, 2016 [19]
@TMCPoldaMetro [20] Suasana TKP sesaat setelah bom meledak di sebuah kafe di Jakarta Pusat. pic.twitter.com/UbPb448X2s [21]
— Ramdans Muhammad (@Rockramdans) January 14, 2016 [22]
Korban ledakan bom di Sarinah, Thamrin. Apakah mereka pelakunya? pic.twitter.com/YXSxWgkz2A [23]
— Pujiono JS™ (@PujionoJS) January 14, 2016 [24]
BAKU TEMBAK di LOKASI LEDAKAN #Sarinah [25] #LedakanBom [26] #RSCM [27] #FriendsReunion [28] #PartaiDakwah [29] #Jakarta [30] #Gafatar [31] #Polisi [32] pic.twitter.com/IWZ4peumAU [33]
— Hatta Jusman (@hattajusman) January 14, 2016 [34]
Selain di Pos Pol Thamrin, bom juga meledak di Starbuck Cafe, Thamrin, Jakarta Pusat. pic.twitter.com/jXxAyPIPfe [35]
— Radio Dakta (@RadioDakta) January 14, 2016 [36]
A UN Regional Representative is live-tweeting the horrific events...
[37]
As of this moment, the explosions appear to be yet another suicide bomber-driven terrorist attack, and we suspect it is only a matter of time before ISIS takes credit.
The local stocks have reacted dramatically:
[38]
And The Rupiah is tumbling...
[39]
A live feed of the event is available below:
Livestream @KompasTV [40] on Jakarta, #Indonesia [41] blast: https://t.co/Ccq8194Nfn [42] pic.twitter.com/nxnhEnak1L [43]
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) January 14, 2016 [44]
