Jakarta: A Malaysian extremist wanted for a
string of terror attacks was named on Saturday as the man most
likely behind twin suicide bombings at luxury hotels in
Indonesia which killed at least nine people.
Police were studying explosives found in the suspects`
"control centre" in room 1808 of the Jakarta Marriott hotel,
which was bombed along with its nearby sister hotel the
Ritz-Carlton on Friday as guests were having breakfast.
DNA evidence, including a severed head from the remains
of two suicide bombers, was also being examined as security
was tightened across Indonesia and the Philippines amid
warnings of follow-up attacks.
Four foreigners -- a New Zealand businessman, two
Australians and a Singaporean -- were confirmed dead and at
least 18 were among the scores of people who were injured at
the hotels in a central Jakarta business district.
Australian diplomat Craig Senger is also believed to have
been killed, but this has not been confirmed.
The injured included citizens of Australia, Britain,
Canada, China, India, Italy, Norway, South Korea, the
Netherlands and the United States.
National police chief General Bambang Hendarso Danuri
called on hotels and shopping malls across the vast, mainly
Muslim archipelago of 234 million people to raise their
security protocols in response to the bombings.
A military spokesman said 500 troops were on standby to
deploy in Jakarta in support of police.
3rd Australian confirmed killed in Indonesia attacks
Jakarta: Australian Foreign Minister
Stephen Smith on Saturday confirmed a third Australian as being
among those killed in Jakarta`s hotel suicide bombings.
Smith was in talks in Jakarta with his Indonesian
counterpart Hassan Wirayuda after authorities here confirmed
that Australians Nathan Verity and Garth McEvoy had died in
yesterday`s attacks.
Smith told reporters a third Australian, diplomat Craig
Senger, had also been killed in the attack. Australia has not
confirmed McEvoy`s death but the minister said he is missing
and that they "fear the worst".
A New Zealander and a Singaporean were the other
foreigners identified as being killed when the bombs exploded
in crowded restaurants and meeting areas of the JW Marriott
and Ritz Carlton hotels yesterday.
All three Australians had been attending the same
breakfast meeting, as part of a group of 16 who were all
killed or injured.
Almost 100 Australians have died in militant attacks
against Western targets in Indonesia in recent years,
including bombings on the resort island of Bali in 2002 and
2005.
Smith, in an emotional meeting with reporters ahead of
his departure for Jakarta with an official counter-terrorism
and trade delegation, said Australia stood ready to assist
Indonesia in its fight against terrorism.
Bureau Report
