Three police officers and three civilians have been killed so far in a combined attack occurring over multiple locations in Jakarta, Indonesia. The attacks involved six bombs in different locations throughout the city, and gunfights have broken out between terrorists and police.
Early reports on the country’s local media outlets as well as Reuters have stated that at least one of the bombings was carried out by a suicide bomber. Witnesses describe casualties, chaotic scenes, and exchanges of gunfire with police.
The official Twitter account of the Jakarta police said that one of the explosions went off in front of a shopping center known as Sarinah mall. Another destroyed a Stabrucks. Police say attackers arrived on motorcycles and threw grenades. Thus far reports have estimated between 10 to 14 terrorists involved. Police have deployed hundreds of officers including sniper around the area of the attacks.
The area has been sealed by police and civilians are being kept at a safe distance. High rise buildings in the area have been evacuated, and a United Nations building located nearby has been on lockdown since the first explosion. There are several luxury hotels, offices, and embassies, including that of France, in the area where the blasts occurred.
Reports have also stated that an additional blast was heard in the western part of Palmerah. So far that blast has not been confirmed by authorities.
The attack came following a threat by ISIS that it would target Indonesia. “We have previously received a threat from Islamic State [ISIS] that Indonesia will be in the spotlight,” police spokesman Anton Charliyan said.
Indonesia is has the largest Muslim population in the world. While the population is mostly moderate, the country has seen its fair share of attacks with large terror attacks occurring in 2009 as well as 2002.