Blasts in the Indonesian capital, two killed

Jakarta: In a series of blasts in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, two people were killed  with gunfire breaking out afterwards, BBC reported.

The blasts happened outside the Sarinah shopping centre, near the presidential palace and UN offices, media reports said.

A UN official near the scene, Jeremy Douglas, told the BBC that gunfire was ongoing.

Police said they believe this is a bomb attack. There is no indication yet of who might be behind the assault. The area around the blast site has been cordoned off.

The explosions took place around 10.40 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB) in the shopping mall, Xinhua news agency reported.

A witness said at least three people were seen lying on the ground during the shootout.

Indonesia has been attacked by Islamist militant groups in the past.