Jakarta hotel bombers also planned to attack Barack Obama

Militants behind the hotel bombings in Jakarta also planned to use snipers to attack Barack Obama’s convoy, according to an intelligence expert.

A link is now being investigated between the suicide bombings at the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels on 17 July, which killed nine people and wounded 53, and funding from a group linked to al-Qaeda, according to The Times.

Dynno Chressbon from the Centre for Intelligence and National Security, said that two of the four wanted suspects had been trained for an attack on Obama, who is expected to visit Indonesia before the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit in Singapore in November.

The alleged snipers were from a group called the Indonesian Islamic State, which has received support from a group headed by the Malaysian-born militant Noordin Mohammad Top, who is also believed to be behind the hotel attacks.

Police have arrested at least five people believed to be connected to the bombings and three others have been killed during raids.

Jakarta bombers posed as hotel guests >>

Suicide bombers attack Pearl Continental hotel in Pakistan >>

Mumbai hotels at centre of terrorist attack >>

Hospitality industry braces itself ahead of London G20 summit >>

By Gemma Sharkey

E-mail your comments to Gemma Sharkey here.

If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.caterersearch.com/tabletalk

Caterersearch.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next [bar/pub/restaurant/hotel] job here with Caterersearch.com jobs

Insert one of these links:

http://www.caterersearch.com/jobs/browse/bar.htm - Bar Jobs

http://www.caterersearch.com/jobs/browse/pub.htm - Pub Jobs

http://www.caterersearch.com/jobs/browse/restaurant.htm - Restaurant Jobs

http://www.caterersearch.com/jobs/browse/hotel.htm - Hotel Jobs