Jakarta blasts: A timeline

Jakarta's busy downtown district was rocked by several explosions and gunfire on Thursday morning (Jan 14).

The attacks, which began with a blast outside a Starbucks Cafe near Sarinah mall along Jalan Thamrin in the Indonesian capital, have left at least six people dead.

Roads leading into the area have been closed and police say that up to 14 militants were responsible.

Below is a timeline of events that have happened so far. All times are in Singapore time.

11.30am: The first explosion occurs in front of the Starbucks Cafe located at the Skyline Building, opposite the road from the United Nation's office in Indonesia and less than 1km from the popular Grand Indonesia mall.

 

11.57am: The initial attack was followed up five more detonations. While reports suggested that only grenades were used, Jakarta police believe that at least one suicide bomber was responsible for one of the blasts.

 

 

- One of the blasts targeted a police outpost, leaving several bloodied bodies strewn on the street.

PHOTO: REUTERS

12.00pm: After the explosions, witnesses see police exchange gunfire with the perpetrators.

 

 

 

 

PHOTO: AFP

1.21pm: Reports on social media suggested that attacks were taking place in other regions of the capital city. However, these are dismissed by police as hoaxes by terrorist groups.

 

 

1.50pm: Indonesian President Joko Widodo ends a visit to central Java prematurely to return to Jakarta. The head of state condemns the "acts of terror" and vows that the nation "will not be defeated" while urging the public to stay calm even as they grieve those who have died.

- Reinforcements are called in with armoured personnel carriers arriving on the scene.

- Police snipers are among the hundreds of security officers deployed.

- Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues a statement condemning the Jakarta attacks. Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who had concluded his visit to Jakarta the day before, urged Singaporeans to register with MFA in a Facebook post as the ministry continues to monitor the situation.

 

 

2.22pm: Starbucks issues a statement, saying one of its customers was injured. While their employees were unhurt, the coffee chain would be closing all its stores in Jakarta until further notice.

3.20pm: The stand-off between police and gunmen holed up in the Skyline Building continues.

 

 

4.22pm: Police announce that the situation is under control and that there were no more attackers left in the city. Security Minister Luhut Panjaitan stated that five terrorists and two civilians, one a Dutchman, were killed. However, the Dutch foreign ministry has said that one of its citizens was not killed but injured, and is currently receiving treatment.

6.30pm: The Aamaaq news agency, which is allied to the terrorist group Islamic State, said on its Telegram channel that the attacks in Jakarta were carried out by Islamic State fighters. Jakarta police confirm that an Indonesian ISIS fighter was involved.

Sources: Reuters, AFP, Twitter