JAKARTA, Java, Jan. 13, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — A series of bomb blasts at multiple locations in the Indonesian capital city of Jakarta have shaken the city and reportedly killed at least six people, injuring at least 10 more.
The explosions began Thursday at 10:40 a.m. in the Indonesia Western Time Zone in the city, located in Java. That translates to 8:40 p.m. Wednesday in Utah’s Mountain Standard Time.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, speaking on his country’s MetroNews TV, condemned the attack as an “act of terror.”
“We all are grieving for the fallen victims of this incident, but we also condemn the act that has disturbed the security and peace and spread terror among our people,” Widodo said.
Java police and Indonesian safety officials have reported that more than a dozen attackers were involved, and gunfire continued after the initial explosions, which targeted locations including a shopping center. Police were trying to track down attackers who were still at large following the explosions.
The specific group behind the attack was not immediately known in the hours following the explosions. Indonesia has been attacked by Islamist militant groups in the past, and was on high alert during the New Year’s holiday period after receiving threats said to be from the Islamic State.
Though Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim nation, it has a secular government, making it a prime target for terrorist groups like the Islamic State.
In 2009, simultaneous attacks on the Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels killed seven people.
