Jakarta Attacks: Indonesian Police Arrest Four Suspects

Indonesian police have arrested four individuals suspected of involvement in the armed attacks and explosions that occurred on Thursday morning in Jakarta, the capital of the country. The identity and nationality of these suspects have not yet been disclosed, but Indonesian officials have stated that a group known as the 'Islamic State' or ISIS had sent threatening statements to Indonesian security forces prior to the events of Thursday. The Associated Press has reported statements from General Anton Charliyan, the spokesperson for the Indonesian police, who noted that the method of attack on the shopping center in Jakarta closely resembled recent attacks in Paris, suggesting that the attackers are likely linked to the 'Islamic State' group. According to him, police forces had received a warning from the 'Islamic State' group in late November, indicating that 'a concert is being held in Indonesia,' which meant an attack was imminent. Paris was the scene of a series of explosions and deadly attacks on the evening of November 13, where the Bataclan concert hall was targeted during a performance by the Eagles of Death Metal, resulting in approximately 90 fatalities. Jakarta also witnessed shootings and bomb explosions in various parts of the city on Thursday morning, including near the Sarinah shopping center. Indonesian officials have reported a total of 7 casualties from these events, one of whom was a Dutch citizen. Earlier reports indicated that this Dutch citizen was severely injured, but the Russian news agency Itar-Tass quoted Luhut Pandjaitan, the coordinating minister for political, legal, and security affairs of Indonesia, announcing his death. This Indonesian official also stated that five of the attackers were killed. The Indonesian police estimate that 10 to 14 individuals played a direct role in these attacks, and the explosions were also suicide operations. In this context, the President of Indonesia declared: 'The Jakarta attacks were terrorist acts.' Threatening statements from the Islamic State group were made prior to the Jakarta explosions, and the attacks in the Indonesian capital ended with the death of the attackers.