Several fatalities after bomb blasts in Jakarta

A series of bomb blasts have rocked the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, and there is continuing gunfire and reports of further explosions on the streets.

At least six people have been killed by the blasts, which hit several locations including a shopping centre.

Police say they believe more than a dozen attackers were involved. Some are still at large and have been exchanging fire with security forces.

National police chief spokesman Anton Charliyan told AFP that both police officers and civilians were among the dead. He added that no arrests had been made.

After the initial blasts reported outside the Sarinah shopping centre in Jakarta, armed police, snipers and armoured vehicles arrived on the streets of the capital.

President Joko Widodo has called for calm but condemned the "act of terror".

"We all are grieving for the fallen victims of this incident, but we also condemn the act that has disturbed the security and peace and spread terror among our people," he said.

There is no indication yet of who might be behind the assault. Indonesia has been attacked by Islamist militant groups in the past and was on high alert over the new year period after threats from the so-called Islamic State.