'GAM men could be laying in wait'

JAKARTA: Police warned on Tuesday that members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) could be in Jakarta to launch attacks in retaliation for the military offensive in restive Aceh.

"They might be in the city. We, however, don't know their numbers," said city police spokesman Sr. Comr. Prasetyo.

Similarly, city police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara warned Jakartans to be vigilant against possible GAM attacks on public areas, such as business centers or shopping malls.

Prasetyo said the police had deployed its full force of 24,000 personnel to secure the city. --JP.