[ad_1]
JAKARTA: A woman was shot dead by Indonesian police in a shooting at the force’s national headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday afternoon (March 31).
The 25-year-old was a “lone wolf” who believed in the ideology of the Islamic State, Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said at a news conference Wednesday night.
Around 4.30 pm, the woman walked to the front door of the building. “She fired six shots and the police retaliated,” Prabowo said.
In her last Instagram post before the attack, she posted an image of the Islamic State flag, she said, adding that authorities found her will at her home. He had also sent a message to his family to say goodbye on WhatsApp.
Back door of the Indonesian police headquarters in Jakarta on March 31, 2021. Previously, local media reported that shots were heard. (Photo: Kiki Siregar)
Police are investigating the possibility that she was part of a network.
“I have instructed Densus 88 to investigate (a) possible link between the suspect and a (terrorist) network,” Prabowo said, referring to Indonesia’s counterterrorism unit.
“I have instructed my men to continue providing public services, but to remain vigilant and increase security both at their headquarters and on the ground,” he added.
Earlier, Major television stations broadcast images showing what appeared to be a person in a blue veil and long black clothing entering the compound as shots rang out.
The lone figure fell to the ground and was immobile as police surrounded the body, the images showed. It was not immediately clear whether the individual was armed.
Kompas TV and Metro TV said the person seen entering the complex was a woman. TV One said a person at the scene was dead and that shots had been exchanged.
Crime scene investigators as seen outside the compound of the Indonesian police headquarters in Jakarta on March 31, 2021. (Photo: Kiki Siregar)
When CNA arrived at the scene, armed personnel could be seen guarding the compound. Investigators from the crime scene were also seen entering the building.
Loud sirens were heard as several bomb squad vehicles arrived at the building.
Strong security presence in front of the national police headquarters in Jakarta on March 31, 2021 (Photo: Kiki Siregar)
Police outposts have been frequent targets of Indonesian extremists in the past.
The exchange at the police headquarters in central Jakarta came three days after a husband and wife carried out a suicide bombing at a cathedral in Makassar on the island of Sulawesi on Palm Sunday, injuring 20 and killing only themselves.
READ: Indonesian church suicide bombers were newlyweds who learned how to make bombs online
READ: Indonesian church suicide bomber was a member of the pro-Islamic State group behind Jolo’s attack: Police
Several of the injured were in intensive care for severe burns.
The couple who attacked the church belonged to the pro-Islamic State extremist group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), police said, warning of more possible attacks.
More than a dozen people suspected of the plot have been arrested in recent days.
