Blasts, gunfight in Indonesian capital; at least 7 dead

14 January 2016 04:48 am

Militants launched a gun and bomb assault in the centre of the Indonesian capital today, killing at least seven people, in an attack that followed a threat by Islamic State fighters to put the country in their "spotlight", police said.

Media said six bombs went off and a Reuters witness saw police exchanging fire with gunmen. Several hours after the attacks began, the witness heard more gunfire and at least one more explosion.

One blast was in a Starbucks cafe and security forces were later seen entering the building.

Police suspected a suicide bomber was responsible for at least one of the blasts and up to 14 militant gunmen were involved in the attack, Metro TV reported.

Indonesia has been on edge for weeks over the threat posed by Islamist militants and counter-terrorism police have launched a crackdown on people with suspected links to Islamic State.

"We have previously received a threat from Islamic State that Indonesia will be the spotlight," police spokesman Anton Charliyan told reporters. But he said police did not know who was responsible.

He said three policemen and three civilians had been killed. (REUTERS)