Indonesian President Joko Widodo has classified the explosions that were carried out in the country’s capital of Jakarta on Thursday as a terrorist act.
“Our nation and our people should not be afraid, acts of terrorism will not defeat us, and I hope that society remains calm. We all have regrets over those killed during the incident, but also condemn this as it has violated our security and peace and spread fear among the people,” Widodo said.
The president also urged Indonesians not to speculate over who is responsible for the mass attacks across the capital.
What we know so far
Events in Jakarta are ongoing and details are still murky, but here’s a overview:
- At least six people have been killed in a series of attacks, including suicide bombings, in central Jakarta on Thursday. Anton Charliyan, a national police spokesman, said the death toll included three police officers and three civilians.
- Another police official put the death toll at seven, including four alleged attackers.
- Multiple explosions have been reported, the first at around 10:30am local time near the crossroads of Thamrin Road and Wahid Haysim Street.
- At least one of the blasts occurred near United Nations headquarters on Thamrin Road.
- Three suicide bombers also reportedly struck a nearby Starbucks.
- Up to 14 gunmen, some on motorbikes, some wielding grenades were involved in the attacks and around six are reportedly holed up inside the Skyline building on Thamrin Road. Tanks have beendeployed in the area.
- Local media has also reported three explosions in Cikni, Silpi and Kuningan neighborhoods, near the Turkish and Pakistani embassies, but these are unconfirmed.
- The Indonesian president, Joko Widodo, has condemned the attacks saying: “The state, nation and people should not be afraid of, and lose to, such terror acts.”
- Nine suspected Islamic State terrorists were arrested in Decemberwith documents outlining a plan to “do a concert” in Jakara, but intelligence officials say there is no evidence yet linking Thursday’s attack to Isis.
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