Jakarta bomb blast: At least seven lives lost, explosions and gunfights to spread terror

Terrorist bombings in Jakarta have rocked the world once again. Terrorism has raised its ugly head and has claimed minimum seven lives after multiple blasts went off near Sarinah shopping mall in Thamrin Street on Thursday. The mall is situated in the heart of the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. Attackers set-off explosions at a Starbucks cafe and waged gun battles with police as people from high-rise windows watched in utter shock as the horror unfolded. There are unconfirmed media reports of multiple blasts in other parts of Jakarta. Although four of the attackers have been killed, it is unknown if there are other attackers in hiding.

The attack comes after several warnings in recent weeks by Jakarta police that Islamic militants are planning something big. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attacks yet. Today’s attack is the first major terrorist attack in Jakarta since the 2009 hotel bombings which killed seven people and injured 50. Prior to that, a nightclub in Bali was attacked by terrorists in 2002 that killed 202 people, mostly foreigners.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, currently on a working visit in Cirebon, a West Java town is returning immediately.

“Our nation and our people should not be afraid, we will not be defeated by these acts of terror, I hope the public stay calm,” Widodo said in statement on television.

Witnesses said that a gunman attacked a Starbucks cafe near the United Nations office and a cluster of embassies. Shots were fired at bystanders and further seven explosions rocked the area. Bodies were lying scattered on the streets. Soon security forces moved in to combat the terrorist firings.

National intelligence agency chief Sutiyoso said “this is definitely terrorism.” Police warned people and reporters to stay away as they believed a sniper was somewhere on a building rooftop.

“All Australians should stay clear of these areas, limit their movements and follow the instructions of local authorities,” said Paul Grigson, Australia's ambassador to Indonesia.

Regional representative of United Nations, Jeremy Douglas, said he was in his car when the first bomb exploded and within seconds multiple blasts began to rock the area. He also heard a lot of gunfire, reports ABC.

This is a developing story. More details to come.