At least six people were killed amid several large explosions and gunshots Thursday near a popular shopping mall in Jakarta, Indonesia, ABC news reported quoting police.

A national police spokesman told reporters that three police officers and three civilians were killed in the attacks mainly in front of the Sarinah mall, which is in a district of the capital that is home to luxury hotels and foreign embassies.

The U.S. Embassy issued an alert urging U.S. citizens to avoid the area, saying the "situation continues to unfold."

There is no information yet who is responsible for the attacks and gunfire but police spokesman, Anton Charliyan, said "We have previously received a threat from Daesh that Indonesia will be [in] the spotlight."

Source: MENA