Indonesia beefs up security ahead of international summit

JAKARTA, Indonesia (Reuters) — About a thousand Indonesian military and police personnel gathered at the capital’s National Monument on Tuesday (March 1) for a security drill ahead of the 5th OIC (Organisation Of Islamic Cooperation) Extraordinary Summit which will be attended by leaders of 57 Islamic countries.

Indonesian army commander, Gatot Nurmantyo, oversaw the drill and said around 10,150 security personnel will be ready for the event.

“Do not tolerate and compromise on any suspicious activities that indicate threatening conditions. Be aware of every step and anticipate any infiltration that could potentially lead to a terrorist act,” he told soldiers and police officers present during the drill.

The OIC Extraordinary Summit is the first international event to take place in Jakarta since eight people, including four militants, were killed in an assault on the capital’s main Thamrin Road that involved pistols and home-made bombs in early January.

The Summit will take place on March 6 and 7.