Terrorists strike again

The explosion comes less than one month after a blast shook the national legislative complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

Tuesday's blast is the first major bombing to have hit the country since bombs ripped through the Sari Club and Paddy's Cafe in the packed tourist resort of Kuta, Bali, last October, killing 202 people, mostly foreigners, and injuring 300 others.

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The hotel bombing took place just two days before the Denpasar District Court is due to hand down its verdict on one of the Bali bombing suspects, Amrozi, who faces the death sentence if convicted.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who visited the scene, said the government would announce a new government security policy on Wednesday aimed at overcoming and preventing terrorism.

He asked people to be prepared to accept the sort of restrictions that could raise the hackles of human rights campaigners.

"The government will impose these restrictions as we are determined to prevent the deaths of more victims. Their lives are worth more than the price of human rights," he said.

National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said that the police had found the car's engine, pieces of its radiator, its chassis registration number and a license plate.

"We're tracking down the owner of the Toyota Kijang minivan," he said.

Most of the fatalities died instantly at the scene, burnt beyond recognition by the heat generated by the blast. Forensic experts had difficulty in identify them. The heat also incinerated 22 cars parked in the vicinity.