Terrorists neutralized, people urged to remain calm

Deputy Police Chief Com. Gen. Budi Gunawan has urged all people living and working in Jakarta to stay calm as all the terrorists, who attacked a police post on Thursday morning, had been neutralized.

"The attackers have been neutralized. But, we all should remain alert, and if the people know anything, please remind one another," he informed journalists close to the scene of the terrorist attack near the Sarinah Departmental Store and Starbucks Coffee shop at a building across the mall.

Gunawan also dismissed reports claiming that there were other attacks in addition to the one that occurred near the Sarinah mall.

Meanwhile, commenting on the incident, Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Rizal Ramli stated that poverty could partly be the reason for the growth of radicalism in the Indonesian society.

"Therefore, all of us, including the government, must work hard to eradicate poverty, so that the disparity in social welfare among our people can be drastically reduced," he emphasized.

A witness named Ruli Koestaman, who heard the explosion that might have been caused by a suicide bomber, said he saw seven people fall victims to the incident.

"I saw seven people who fell victims to the incident, including the attacker, who was shot down by the police," stated the 32-year-old man.

Koestaman claimed to have heard the first explosion at 10:45 a.m. local time, which was then followed by a second blast.

Shortly thereafter, the police and several armed attackers exchanged fire. At least five explosions were heard from the scene and was followed by exchange of fire, he remarked.

According to local media reports, three people might have been killed in the terrorist attack.

President Joko Widodo has condemned the terror attack and has ordered the security apparatus to track down the attackers and crush the terror networks in the country.

Following the terrorist attack, two lanes of M.H. Thamrin Road as well as Sabang and Wahid Hasyim roads were temporarily cordoned off by the security personnel due to safety reasons.

Police officers cordoned off the area to stop passersby, journalists, and employees, whose offices are located in Jakartas Golden triangle business district, from approaching the Sarinah mall.
Source: ANTARA