Thursday's attack in the heart of Jakarta was a hastily executed "Plan B" by Islamist militants, after police raids had disrupted preparations for other strikes against Christmas and New Year events, Police General Badrodin Haiti told Reuters in an interview.
"I believe this was a Plan B. Their main target was Christmas and New Year. They chose Thamrin (after that plan was disrupted) because they were hoping for a big impact despite their small size, because this is a crowded center," he said.
"The perpetrators had the opportunity to take more victims (during the attack), but because their capabilities were limited, we were able to take them out of action."
There are fears that much deadlier attacks could follow, with the return of experienced frontline fighters with Islamic State currently in Syria and Iraq, Haiti said.
Authorities say about 500 Indonesians have traveled to the Middle East to join the extremist group. About 100 are believed to have returned, although experts say only about 15 have combat experience.
"Those on the frontlines are better trained, because they're facing their enemies (in) the field. If they come back, then it will be dangerous because they can carry out acts of violence and terror," Haiti said.
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