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Australia warns of "advanced stage" terrorist attack plans in Indonesia
National Police and Indonesian Military personnel ambush a Bank Indonesia building to release hostages held by a terrorist group during a simulation exercise at the central bank's branch in Aceh province , Banda Aceh, on Monday
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span class="inline inline-center">National Police and Indonesian Military personnel ambush a Bank Indonesia building to release hostages held by a terrorist group during a simulation exercise at the central bank's branch in Aceh province , Banda Aceh, on Monday. The training aims to strengthen cooperation between the police and military in handling terrorist attacks.(Antara/Ampelsa)
Travelers in Indonesia should be aware of possible "advanced stage" terrorist plans in the nation, reads a statement from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) released on Thursday.
The Australian government advised its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia, including in the country's famous tourist destination Bali due to the high threat of terrorist attacks.
"Recent indications suggest that terrorists may be in the advanced stages of preparing attacks in Indonesia," DFAT said in a statement published on smartraveller.gov.au on Thursday.
DFAT also urged Australians traveling in Indonesia to prioritize their personal safety and be particularly vigilant at places of worship and during significant holidays.
"An attack could occur anywhere at any time," the statement says.
It also advised exercising particular caution around locations that had low security and places known to be possible terrorist targets such as nightclubs, restaurants, international hotels and airports.
The Australian government also advised Australians to reconsider traveling to Central Sulawesi, Papua and West Papua provinces.
Central Sulawesi has been the center of the National Police and Indonesian Military (TNI)'s joint Tinombala operation to hunt down Indonesia's most-wanted terrorist Santoso aka Abu Wardah, who is believed to lead terrorist group East Indonesia Mujahidin from the forests of Poso district.
Terrorists launched an attack on a police post and a Starbucks cafe on Jl. MH Thamrin, one of Central Jakarta's main roads, on Jan. 14. The attack killed eight people, including four terrorists and injured at least 25 others.
"The attack demonstrates the continuing terrorism threat in Indonesia, including in locations frequented by foreigners," the statement says. (rin)(+)
