Indonesia says larger network suspected in Jakarta attacks

Jakarta, Jan. 15: Indonesian police launched raids across the country on Friday in the wake of deadly coordinated attacks on Jakarta, saying they suspected a broader extremist network helped carry out an attack claimed by the Islamic State group.

The operations came as authorities ramped up security at public places following Thursday’s combination of suicide bombings and shootings in the capital that left five attackers and two other people dead. Confusion has reigned in the wake of the incident, with authorities struggling to provide concrete information on the shock attack that unfurled in broad daylight on a busy street lined with shopping malls, top hotels, and foreign embassies.  

National police chief Badrodin Haiti told reporters the attack likely indicates the involvement of a broader support apparatus, and implying that conspirators might still be at large.

“The planners, financiers, and supporters that provide (explosive) materials, assemble the bombs, facilitate accommodations and vehicles etc... of course this is the work of a team that could be big or small,” he said.

“This obviously was not conducted by five men, this takes teamwork.” The police said earlier that they had identified four of the five dead attackers, and launched raids by heavily armed police in Jakarta and other locations.