Indonesian police have explicitly likened the attack to the militant violence in November in Paris that left 130 people dead, and presented sobering proof to a horrified world of the reach and fanatical determination of IS adherents.
The Communion of Churches in Indonesia, the umbrella body of Protestant churches, called on Christians in particular and Indonesian society in general not to let terrorism tear down unity in the country.
Indonesia has been on edge in recent weeks over the threat posed by Islamist militants and counter-terrorism police have launched a crackdown on people with suspected links to Islamic State.
The Islamic State group "is very sophisticated and professional in their militancy, in every sense of the word", said[1] Liow. The siege by squads of terrorists using assault rifles and low-grade explosives to slaughter innocent people at cafes, stadiums, hotels, shopping malls, and such has become standard operating procedure for violent extremists all over the map.
The detainees included a man who said he had been instructed by Bahrum Naim[2], an Indonesian now believed to be with IS in Syria[3].
According to Reuters[4], police killed one suspected militant and arrested two others.
Earlier on Saturday, Indonesia said it had shut down at least 11 radical websites and several social media accounts, including several on Facebook[5] that expressed support for the Jakarta attack.
Police previously confirmed a Canadian citizen was among the dead.
Charliyan said the number of injured was revised upward from 20 to 24 – three foreigners, six police officers and the rest Indonesian civilians.
"Another victim who was in a coma since the beginning died last night", Jakarta police spokesman Muhammad Iqbal told AFP, confirming the latest death.
Some terror experts say an IS network was developing in the suburbs of Jakarta while counterterrorism efforts were focused on hunting down Indonesia's most wanted militant in far-off Sulawesi.
Indonesian police announced today they had arrested a man they believe financed the deadly Jakarta attacks, alleging the suspect received the funds from the Islamic State group (Isis).
If the IS link to the Jakarta attack is proven, it will be the first time the group targeted Indonesia.
Police have been largely successful in destroying domestic militant cells since then, but officials have more recently been worrying about a resurgence inspired by groups such as Islamic State and Indonesians who return after fighting with the group.
Starbucks has closed all outlets in Jakarta until further notice.
Supporters of IS also circulated a claim of responsibility for the attack on Twitter late Thursday.
The newest face of Indonesian radicalism is a former shopkeeper, Bahrun Naim, who coincidentally comes from the same town as the country's president, Joko Widodo.
Taufik Andri, a terrorist analyst, said although the attack ended swiftly and badly for the attackers, their aim was to show their presence and ability.
