Indonesia police kill three IS-linked militants

Indonesian police have foiled plans by an IS-linked group for a Christmas-time suicide bombing after killing three suspected militants yesterday and discovering a cache of bombs, authorities said.

A firefight erupted at a house in South Tangerang 25 kilometres west of the capital Jakarta, with police saying the alleged militants had opened fire at officers.

"We asked the three men to surrender but they fought, with one of them throwing a bomb (at officers). Thankfully the bomb didn't explode and we took firm action against them," said national police spokesman Rikwanto, who goes by one name.

He said the group to which the three belong, which is linked to the Islamic State group (IS), had planned to stab a police officer at a police station and wait for crowds to gather before launching a suicide bomb attack around the Christmas holidays.

The targeted location is near a private hospital west of Jakarta, police added.

Bomb squad officers in protective gear have so far detonated six bombs seized from the house and more are expected to be blown up before investigators can enter the building. Police have yet to disclose the total number of bombs discovered yesterday.

The plot was disclosed by a group member who was arrested earlier yesterday and tipped off police about the three militants and their whereabouts, police said.