Balikpapan, E Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - The National Polices counterterrorism unit Densus 88 has arrested a terror suspect in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on Friday.

"Densus 88 arrested an alleged terrorist, and the East Kalimantan Police assisted in carrying out the arrest," East Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Safaruddin stated here on Friday.

Safaruddin did not reveal the initials of the suspect who was arrested by the Mobile Brigade (Brimob).

He noted that the alleged terrorist was arrested at the PT HER II housing complex, Sepinggan Baru, South Balikpapan District.

"The alleged terrorist did not resist arrest, and the police found evidence such as bullets and gunpowder," he affirmed.

The East Kalimantan Police have declared an alert status throughout East and North Kalimantan.

The police have beefed up security at vital locations, such as airports, seaports, and police posts.

Earlier, around five explosions and a shootout occurred near the Sarinah Department store and Starbucks coffee shop in Central Jakarta on Thursday.

Some witnesses claimed to have seen bomb explosions and a shootout between the police and attackers that began at around 10:40 a.m. local time in the business center area near Sarinah department store and a Starbucks cafe in Central Jakarta.

Three suicide bombers blew themselves up near a police post in the Jakarta Theatre Building at the M.H. Thamrin Boulevard, according to an eyewitness.

The Thamrin area is being 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 explosions occurred in a Starbucks coffee shop at around 10:40 a.m. and 10:53 a.m. local time, stated Tri Feranto, a security officer at the Bank Mandiri building located near the site of the explosions.

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 four perpetrators, were killed in the bombing and shootout incidents.

Following the attack, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has condemned the bomb blasts targeting the Thamrin Boulevard in Central Jakarta and has ordered the police to arrest the perpetrators.

"I have ordered the National Police chief and the coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs to track down and arrest the suspects, both those on the scene and other members of the networks," President Jokowi, who is on a working visit to Cirebon, West Java Province, informed the press after receiving the report of the bombings in Central Jakarta.

The head of state expressed condolences over the casualties resulting from the blasts.

He affirmed that terror attacks would never be able to incite a sense of fear or defeat among Indonesians and has appealed to the public to remain calm.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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