Explosion in Indonesian police compound kills two

MEDAN, Indonesia, Apr 5 (Reuters) An explosion rocked a police compound in the western Indonesian city of Medan today, killing two policemen and injuring several others, police and media reports said.

The cause of the blast was not immediately known and police have sealed off the area.

Jakarta-based Radio Elshinta reported at least 10 policemen were sent to nearby hospitals, and a police spokesman said two of them later died.

A large crowd gathered outside the compound, which houses an elite Mobile Brigade.

Indonesia has been on heightened alert since the United States and Australia warned last week of possible attacks on Westerners in the country.

Militants linked to al Qaeda have carried out several major bomb attacks on Western targets in Indonesia in the past few years.

REUTERS CH KP1558