Suicide bombing in Indonesia's capital kills 7, injures 20

JAKARTA, Jan. 14, 2016 -- People gather near the explosion site in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 14, 2016. Seven people including two suicide bombers were killed and 20 others injured in suicide blasts in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, on Thursday. (Xinhua/He Changshan)

JAKARTA, Jan. 14 -- Seven people were killed, including five attackers, and 20 others injured in the suicide blasts in Jakarta, Indonesia's capital on Thursday, M. Iqbal, Jakarta police spokesman said.

The attackers launched their strikes at a police post and a Starbucks coffee shop some 50 meters away, in a busy shopping compound.

"Two of them (attackers) were suicide attackers, and three others were shot dead by the police just before their planned attacks," the spokesman said at the scene of the attacks.

The two others who died in the attack included a Dutch citizen and an Indonesian national, Iqbal said.

The 20 injured victims have been rushed into several hospitals in the city, he said.

Iqbal's statement revised previous statement from Brigadier General Anton Charliyan, national police spokesman, who had said that one policeman was killed and two others got injured.

The first explosion occurred at about 10:45 local time and was followed by two other blasts and shooting by the suspected militants, Anton said.

The explosions in front of the coffee shop injured several people, and the blast at the police post severely injured some policemen and killed the attackers, according to a policeman at the scene.

Blood of the attackers and victims remains outside the police post, which has been severely damaged, a Xinhua reporter saw at the scene.

All the mirrors of the Starbucks shop were smashed with chairs and tables damaged.

The police and the attackers exchanged fires after the explosions, Anto said, adding there were approximately 10 to 14 attackers in total.

He revealed that the attacks occurred after the police got warning that the Islamic State (IS) group would launch attacks in Indonesia.

"It is clear that from the warning given by IS group that Indonesia will have a concert, Indonesia will be an international news," he said.

Therefore, "we have given warnings too," of the possible strikes, and conducted arrests of several militants in many places in the country, said Anton.

The spokesman said that some of the attackers were riding motorcycles and launched grenade attacks.

"Some perpetrators used grenades," he said.

About 300 policemen and soldiers arrived at the scene after the attacks and surrounded the shopping center where some of the attackers were holed up, said Anton.

The Indonesian president decided to cut short his working visit in a town of Cirebon in West Java and ordered the authorities to pursue and arrest the attackers in Jakarta.

"We all extend a heartfelt condolence to the victims of this attack. But we all certainly condemn the act which disturbed the security of the people and launched terror to the people," President Widodo said.

Indonesia has experienced a series of major deadly attacks in the past. But in recent years, militants have resort to smaller-scale attacks, mainly targeting foreigners and police.

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