Jakarta Attacks: Bomb Explosions, Gunfire Rock In Central Jakarta

Explosions, Gunfire Rock In Central Jakarta 

 

Police officers stand guard outside a Starbucks coffee shop near where the explosion took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, January 14, 2016.

Blew off a series of explosions in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, on Thursday, according to officials and witnesses activists, the dawn of violent armed clashes with the police, which lasted for several hours.

Violence began in the mid-morning in central Jakarta, in a neighborhood with upscale shopping center, luxury hotels, embassies, offices and other buildings. In total, it has been reported six explosions. Seven people, including four attackers killed uncertain, were killed.

At least one of the blasts apparently aimed at a Starbucks cafe frequented by foreigners. It was said that the subsequent gun battle broke out after police raided the cafe.

The reporter said VOA Indonesian France demon, who is in Jakarta service sites popular with tourists and other foreigners makes him a very symbolic target.

"This is a very popular shopping area with restaurants and office buildings. About 50 meters from there is the United Nations Office, the US Embassy nearly about 400 or 500 meters from there, not far from the presidential palace, in fact, so this is said really Demon centrally located place. "

Some witnesses said the blasts caused by suicide bombers, although police officials denied this, saying instead assailants threw a hand grenade as they drove by on a motorcycle.

Seen the bodies while Indonesian police hold guns while walking behind a car to protect in Jakarta January 14, 2016.

It is not clear who is responsible for these bombings, or whether they have been arrested or killed. Local media reported that up to 14 insurgents were involved.

Suspicion immediately fell on the Islamic state, which has threatened in recent weeks to carry out a coordinated bomb attack in the capital. ", Around the Christmas holiday and New Year's Day there is a threat of this group before they'll do what they call a" concert "in Jakarta, and this means that they will set off explosions in several places at the same time," Satan said. "It did not happen in the holiday Christmas or New Year's, but it happened now."

So far, officials that he is responsible for the attack have not said.

President Joko Widodo, speaking on local television, condemned the "terrorist acts", stressing authorities were working to contain the situation.

"We must not be afraid of our nation and our people, and will not be defeated as a result of these terrorist acts. I hope that the public remain calm," said the president, who is on a trip to the island of Java.

Police officer gives a hand signal to fellow band also discussed building near the site of an explosion in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, January 14, 2016.

Although the situation has calmed down somewhat in the middle of the day, and the shooting continued to ring at different locations in the city during the late afternoon, according to tweets by many foreign journalists.

Local media also reported that several other explosions were heard in other locations throughout the city, including some foreign embassies in housing sites. It could not be confirmed these reports immediately.

Preventing and a heavy police presence journalists from access to many of the affected areas.

The initial explosions near the site, and was told the United Nations building to be secure. In a series of tweets, said Jeremy Douglas, Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for South-East Asia and the Pacific, and at least six explosions, including a suicide and a clear and "serious exchange of fire in the street."