11 embassies in Indonesia get extra security

Eleven foreign embassies in Indonesia, including those of the United States, Britain, France, Canada and Germany, have got extra security after terrorist threat hit the capital of the country recently, Jakarta's police chief said here Monday.

In addition to the embassies, the police also paid special attention to international schools and ambassador residences, Inspector General Firman Gani said.

The move was made after the Indonesian police intelligence found indication of increasing terrorists activities for preparing another attack in the country.

"There are 11 embassies that get extra security, such as US Embassy, British Embassy, French Embassy, Canadian Embassy and German Embassy," he said.

"In addition to the 11 there are 17 schools and ambassador residences protected. So there are 28 places got special attention, " he added.

The police chief also said that his personnel were on alert for possible terror threat on 74 other foreign embassy offices and public areas here.

He said that the police paid special attention to the five-star hotels in the city, some of which have got terror threat and strikes.

At least 10 people died in a suicide terror bombing in the luxurious hotel of JW. Marriot in 2003.

The police chief said that the police also beefed up security in mall shopping centers and were ready to add more assistance to guard the centers as well as the hotels.

"We asked the hotels themselves to beef up their own security, and if they asked our help, we will give the assistance," he said.

Indonesian Police Chief General Da'i Bachtiar earlier said that terrorists cell in Indonesia led by two dangerous Malaysians, bomb expert Azhari Husin and terror coordinator Noerdin Mohammad Top, may launch another strike in the country.

The same message once prompted the closure of the US Embassy and all its diplomatic missions.

Source: Xinhua