Strong bomb blast rocks Jl. Sabang<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A strong bomb blast extensively damaged the
\nvacant three-story Ramayana department store and shattered
\nwindows and billboards of nearby shops on Jl. H. Agus Salim in
\nCentral Jakarta on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
Besides leaving a big hole in the ground, the blast also
\ndamaged a Colt van parked in front of the store. The car belonged
\nto a night security guard, Djoni, who was on duty in the area.<\/p>\n
No fatalities were reported. The street, popularly known as
\nJl. Sabang, was deserted when the explosion happened at 5 a.m.<\/p>\n
Total losses have yet to be estimated. The lower part of the
\ndepartment store, which stopped operation after being damaged
\nduring last year's mid-May riot, was extensively damaged.<\/p>\n
By late last night, police had yet to name anybody as a
\nsuspect in the blast, which is the first act of terror in Jakarta
\nthis year.<\/p>\n
Police say the powerful explosion, which could be heard within
\na one-kilometer radius, came from one of three bombs planted at
\ndifferent spots at the location by a group of unidentified men
\nseveral minutes earlier.<\/p>\n
Head of the Jakarta Police detectives, Col. Alex Bambang
\nRiatmojo, who rushed to the site, told reporters that two of the
\nbombs failed to detonate.<\/p>\n
None of the police officers at the scene were willing to give
\nout detailed information about the explosive device.<\/p>\n
According to Bambang, the three bombs were similar in size:
\nround, 10 centimeters in diameter and five centimeters high. Each
\nof them had a fuse.<\/p>\n
But a security officer revealed that the explosives, believed
\nto be devices which were professionally handmade, were carefully
\npacked in big bottles.<\/p>\n
\"The looked like Molotov cocktails with a fuse on top. But it
\nprobably had TNT inside,\" the source said, referring to the
\nflammable toxic compound trinitrotoluene.<\/p>\n
His opinion was backed up by head of the National Police
\ndetectives, Maj. Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, who strongly believes the
\ndevice was assembled by a professional.<\/p>\n
\"At least this guy understands and knows how to use it,\" said
\nDa'i, adding that no party had claimed responsibility for
\nSaturday's blast.<\/p>\n
Feroza jeep<\/p>\n
According to security officers, a group of at least six men
\narrived at the site on three motorcycles, in a red Feroza jeep
\nand a white Kijang van.<\/p>\n
Quoting four witnesses, including two security guards, head of
\nthe Central Jakarta Police Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said the
\nculprits placed the devices in front of three business premises
\nand left the site in their vehicles.<\/p>\n
Eyewitness Adi Surahman, a parking attendant, said he saw six
\nmen arrive on three motorcycles at about 4:50 a.m. and put
\npackages in front of the vacant department store, the neighboring
\nGaleri FS clothing store and Gardena restaurant.<\/p>\n
He said the first bomb outside Ramayana exploded shortly after
\nit was ignited by the men.<\/p>\n
Adi said he could not identify the men because they were
\nwearing full-face helmets.<\/p>\n
According to Iman, the police have a physical description of
\nthe suspects.<\/p>\n
The reason behind the blast is as yet unknown. Some speculate
\nit may be an attempt to spark fresh fears among Jakartans. Others
\nsay it could be a local problem.<\/p>\n
KT. Adnani, 60, owner of Srivishnu's tailor, told reporters
\nthat the blast could have something to do with a 14-year-old
\ndispute between state Bank Dagang Negara and the owners of the
\nplot where the three business premises stand.<\/p>\n
\"But let the police investigate this case,\" he said.<\/p>\n
On Dec. 11, the city was shocked by an explosion in an
\nautomated teller machine booth of Bank Central Asia at Atrium
\nSenen shopping center in Central Jakarta, damaging the windows,
\nceiling and walls. There were no casualties and police have made
\nno arrests.<\/p>\n
Last Wednesday, an explosion on a vacant plot on Jl. Jend.
\nSudirman in South Jakarta stunned motorists and employees in the
\nCentral Business District and police officers.<\/p>\n
Both blasts remain a mystery. (ivy\/emf\/bsr)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/strong-bomb-blast-rocks-jl-sabang-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }