A series of bomb blasts have rocked the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, followed by reports of continuing gunfire and at least three people killed.

A series of bomb blasts have rocked the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, followed by reports of continuing gunfire and at least three people killed.

Blasts hit several locations, including a cafe at a shopping center near the presidential palace and UN offices.

The BBC reported that police snipers were seen in streets, noting that police have cordoned off the area. 

There is no indication yet of who might be behind the assault, but Indonesia - the world's most populous Muslim country - has been attacked by Takfiri militant groups in the past.

It has recently been on high alert after threats from ISIL (so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Levant).

This is the first major attack on Jakarta since the 2009 Marriot and Ritz hotels bombings.

National police spokesman told AFP people had been warned to stay indoors in case of further explosions.

A UN official, Jeremy Douglas, told the BBC had been about 150m away from one of the blasts near the UN building.

"Then we ran into the building. We heard a third explosion. We got up to our office on the tenth floor and we heard a fourth, a fifth and a sixth.
"There is gunfire going on in the street right now."

A Reuters photographer said one explosion had been at a Starbucks cafe, with its windows blown out.

He said police appeared to be aiming guns at a man on the roof of the building.