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Topic: Security tightened after Bali suicide bombings (Read 160 times)

Rhune
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Security tightened after Bali suicide bombings
« on: Oct 2^nd, 2005, 4:47pm »

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Security tightened after Bali suicide bombings
Bloody attacks recall 2002 bombings linked to al Qaeda

Sunday, October 2, 2005; Posted: 12:34 p.m. EDT (16:34 GMT)

JAKARATA, Indonesia (CNN) -- Security was tightened across Indonesia Sunday after suicide bombers detonated a string of explosions at tourist hot-spots on the island of Bali, killing 19 and injuring at least 132.

The attacks -- two at cafes near Jimbaran and one at a restaurant in Kuta's main square -- came less than two weeks ahead of the third anniversary of 2002's deadly nightclub bombings in Bali.

The dead in the latest attacks include at least two Australians, one Japanese, four or five other foreigners whose nationalities have not been determined, while the rest are Indonesian, hospital officials said.

Earlier tolls were higher because body parts were entering the morgue in separate body bags, police said.

Included in the wounded are 68 Indonesians, 20 Australians, six Koreans, four Americans, four Japanese, with five others unidentified, according to Indonesia's Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari.

At a news conference on Sunday, police chief Maj. Gen. Made Mangku Pastika showed video of one bomber entering Raja's restaurant in Kuta wearing a backpack, and detonating. (Watch amateur video which captured one of the blasts)

Pastika showed photos of the bombers' heads, who appeared to be in their early 20s, although they have not been identified.

Police believe the bombers were not working alone, and are searching for those who may have helped plan the attack.

He said the bombs weighed about 22 pounds each (10 kg) and contained ball bearings and other shrapnel.

The latest Bali attacks prompted the police chief, Inspector General Firman Gani, to raise Jakarta's security alert system to its highest level.

The explosions happened around 8 p.m. Saturday (8 a.m. ET) in Jimbaran and Kuta, the shopping and entertainment hub of the island. Foreign Ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa said the blasts occurred about 10 minutes apart.

Video of the scene in Kuta showed the windows of several upscale stores shattered, with glass littering the street, and the awning of Raja's noodle house blown askew.

Sean Mulcahy, an Australian journalist in Bali, said Jimbaran and Kuta were "chock-a-block" with tourists celebrating a holiday weekend. It was also a school holiday for Australians, and many traveled to Bali for the weekend, he said.

Bali is still recovering from the bombings in Kuta that killed 202 people on October 12, 2002, which were blamed on Jemaah Islamiyah -- a terror group with ties to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda terrorist network. Most of those killed were Australian and Indonesian.

"People were just starting to build up confidence again and to have this happen was devastating for the locals, but I think it's the nail in the coffin for people coming to this place," Mulcahy said.

Shortly after the blasts, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono addressed the nation on state television, expressing his concern and condemning what he called a terrorist attack.

"These were clearly acts of terrorism because the victims were indiscriminately chosen and the targets were public areas. As president and on behalf of the Republic of Indonesia, I strongly condemn these inhuman acts," he said.

He said he had received intelligence information in July about terrorist elements in Malaysia and Philippines planning to target Indonesia, and had increased security in Jakarta and Bali as a precaution.

Recently, Yudhoyono issued a warning that terrorist cells inside the country were still active, despite hundreds of arrests.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard also expressed sorrow and anger.

"How sad we are that the pursuit of a legitimate, simple overseas holiday has once again been brutally interrupted by this violent, mindless act of terrorism," Howard added.

He noted that the nation was just recovering from the 2002 attacks, and said, "I think we should see this as primarily an attempt to wreak havoc and cause fear and create instability inside Indonesia."

"I primarily see this as an attack on Indonesia and the democratic instincts of the Indonesian people," Howard said.

Saturday's attacks left tourists filled with "fear and terror" and they are fleeing their hotels in Bali, with suitcases in hand, Mulcahy said.

But reporter John Aglionby Sunday reported that locals were carrying on with business as normal.

U.S. condemns attacks
The explosions also were condemned by the United States.

"The United States condemns the terrorist bombings today in Bali that claimed innocent lives and injured many more. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured," said U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a statement.

"The United States stands with the people and government of Indonesia as they work to bring to justice those responsible for these acts of terrorism. We will continue to work together in our common fight against terror."

The United States and several other governments have issued warnings of a high terrorist threat to foreigners in Indonesia as the holy Muslim month of Ramadan arrives early next week.

A report issued in early September warned that bin Laden and his top lieutenant Ayman al-Zawahiri may be planning a series of attacks in October, dubbed "The Great Ramadan Offensive."

On Friday, the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta reiterated its warden's message issued in May, which said the threat of terrorism is high and that Americans there should be vigilant.

The island of Bali is a Hindu enclave in Indonesia, which is the world's most populous Muslim nation.

Natalegawa told CNN he was confident authorities would find the attackers.

"We know what it takes to bring the perpetrators to justice because our success rate ... has been rather good," he said.

Journalists John Aglionby and Maria Ressa contributed to this report

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