Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Australian Government has offered law
enforcement and intelligence assistance to Indonesia following the
deadly attacks in Jakarta on Thursday.
"I have contacted my
counterpart in Indonesia, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal
and Security Affairs H. E. Luhut B. Panjaitan, to convey Australias
support," Australias Attorney-General George Brandis QC said on
Thursday.
He was quoted by the Australian Embassy in Jakarta on its official
website as saying that Australia and Indonesia had agreed to cooperate
on counter terrorism operations.
"The offer follows our recent meeting at the Inaugural
Indonesia-Australia Ministerial Council on Law and Security during which
we agreed on closer operational and technical counter terrorism
cooperation," Brandis was quoted as saying by the embassy.
The Australian government has also condemned the bomb blasts and shootout that took place in Jakarta on Thursday morning.
"I have talked to Indonesias Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and
offered any support, which might be needed by the Indonesian government
in response of this attack," Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop
said in a written statement received by Antara on Thursday.
The Embassy of Australia in Jakarta has also asked a number of
questions and urged the authorities to ensure that no Australian
nationals are affected.
As the incident is still ongoing, it is too early to determine the scale of damage or casualties, the embassy stated.
Travel advisories for Indonesia have been updated and are available at Smartraveller.
Australians are being encouraged to avoid the Sarinah business area
on Thamrin Boulevard in Central Jakarta and obey the instructions of
local authorities.
"The level of overall travel advice has not changed, and we
continue to advise Australians to adopt a cautious stance in Indonesia,"
the Australian embassy said.
To accommodate any concerns over Australians, who live in the area,
the Embassy of Australia has provided contact information for a 24-hour
Consular Emergency Center, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
Australia, which can be reached at: 1300555135 or +61 2 6261 3305 (if
calling from abroad).
Three suicide bombers blew themselves up near a police post in the
Jakarta Theatre Building of the M.H. Thamrin Boulevard earlier on
Thursday, according to an eye witness.
The Thamrin area has been cordoned off as police officers are still investigating the incident.
According to witnesses, around six explosions were heard during the bomb attacks.
The first and second explosion occurred at a Starbucks coffee shop
at around 10:40 a.m. and 10:53 a.m. local time, Tri Feranto, a security
officer working in the Bank Mandiri building located near the site of
the explosions, stated.
The third explosion took place near the police post and hit the
three suicide bombers and a police officer, according to Tri.
The fourth, fifth, and sixth explosions took place at 11 a.m., 11:03 a.m., and 11:04 a.m. local time.
Seven people, including five terrorists were killed in the bombing and shootout incidents. (WDY)
Australia Offers Intelligence Assistance Over Bombing Attacks
Jumat, 15 Januari 2016 8:56 WIB