Feature: Terror attack in Jakarta raises security concern

Thursday's terror attack in Indonesia's capital of Jakarta raised concerns over people's security in daily life, as it took place all the sudden in a public area that could kill anybody without warning, local residents said.

The attack occurred in broad daylight in an open area of the bustling business district in central Jakarta's Thamrin road, with witnesses saying one of the perpetrators shot his firearm randomly into every direction.

Several others hurled explosive materials allegedly including grenades to a coffee shop of Starbucks, located at the corner of the landmark crossroad in the capital city.

Bambang Fajar, a resident in his fifties, who happened to be in the vicinity, recalled the horrible moment when he had to run to hide.

He was scared when the attack went on, as sounds of guns and bomb blasts made the situation in the scene eerie.

"Some women in my hiding place braced to each other, reciting prayers, begging for their safety. I am waiting there with my heart pounding, trying to scrap the thought of the worse that the shootout may shift near my hiding place," Bambang told Xinhua near the attacked site of Starbucks on Thursday afternoon.

He hid in a place less than 50 meters from the scene along with several workers working at buildings in Thamrin road.

After a long breath, he said he saw charred bodies of the terrorists perpetrating the attacks who eventually blew themselves out and a girl student shed with blood lying on the ground and a westerner killed in the attack.

"Those terrorists blew themselves with bombs they carried with after being cornered by the police during the fire exchange," said the witness.

"I feel pity for that little girl. I don't know whether she is still alive or not. She was in the wrong time and wrong place."

"That western guy lied on the sidewalk with charred legs which police said due to the bomb shrapnel."

Bambang, who is working with a law firm, said things would never be the same again in the capital city. In his thought, people may die anytime anywhere because of terror act.

"It was different from those occurred previously in JW Marriott, Ritz Carlton hotels which were inside the hotels several years ago," said the witness.

"Now they might kill innocent people, scared off the society, making our lives never be the same again with the fear of being killed anywhere, anyhow," said Bambang, whose phone never stop ringing with his family keeping asking him to go home quickly.

He suggested that the government should immediately take steps in assuring people's safety.

"The security condition now is vulnerable. The state must assure the safety of the people as mandated in the constitution. The security agencies must work hard to improve their way in handling terror threats," Bambang said.

Citing to the warning of threats to attack Jakarta police headquarters and presidential palace launched by a terror group led by Santoso last year, he added that the authorities must be more responsive to address the threat of possible terror attacks.

Streets in the capital city which frequently marred with severe traffic jams were a bit quiet after the terrorist attack.

Fully armed troops were seen of guarding vital government offices around the presidential palace that located a few blocks from the attack site.

Saud Usman, head of Indonesian government's anti-terror desk (BNPT), said seven people were killed in the attack, including five terror suspects and two civilians.

Some 20 people sustained various degree of wound due to the attacks. They have been treated in several hospitals in the city.

Saud said in a TV interview on Thursday evening that the terror attack pattern has changed.

"They want to apply their cause that they believe in. They want to be in heaven as soon as possible. They may conduct the attack anytime, anywhere as long as there is a chance to do so," Saud said.

He said police are also set as their main target.

In Thursday's attack, terrorists hurled a bomb into a traffic police post near the Starbucks that made the post ripped apart.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has ordered police and other authorities to hunt down and arrest those involved in the attacks and foiled their terror network.

He said the state must not lose and surrender to the attack. Endit