7 people including 4 terrorists killed in multiple explosions rock Jakarta

Seven people including four attackers have been killed in the brazen attacks in the downtown capital, says Jakarta police spokesman Col. Muhammad Iqbal. He said that the police had recovered the bodies of the attackers, but it is not clear if more remain at large.

At least three explosions rocked downtown Jakarta Thursday mid-morning followed by more than two hours of gunbattles. A witness told The Associated Press that the explosions occurred inside a Starbucks cafe.

Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said in a statement on national TV that the situation was under control and called on the people to remain calm. Jokowi said, "The state, nation and people should not be afraid of, and lose to, such terror acts."

He spoke after suspected Islamic militants detonated bombs and opened fire at



police in downtown Jakarta, killing at least one policeman. An Associated Press photographer saw three more bodies lying in a sidewalk.

A police post on a main street was damaged after six blasts were heard. An Indonesia police spokesman confirmed that at least three policemen and three civilians had lost their lives.

The area has many luxury hotels, and offices and embassies, including the French.

Witnesses said the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber, but there was no immediate confirmation of the claim.

Indonesia has been a victim of several bombing attacks in the past, claimed by Islamic militant groups.