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)
