Military to launch firearm operation

Military to launch firearm operation

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Agency for the Coordination of
Support for the Development of National Stability (Bakorstanasda)
is ready to commence firearms operations in its effort to reduce
crime rates in the capital.

The agency commander's Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso, who is also chief
of the Jakarta Military Command, said yesterday that the target
of the operation is illegal firearms and sharp weapons.

"The number of crimes committed by people with firearms and
sharp weapons has been increasing," he was quoted by Antara as
saying yesterday.

The two-star general said it is very possible that military
personnel are involved in such crimes.

"The operation will be launched openly, but I can tell you
when we will start," he said after visiting senior technical high
school STM Penerbangan Gutama 11 in East Jakarta yesterday.

Sutiyoso said proper steps must be taken to deal with the
recent bank customer armed robberies and robbery of taxi drivers.

"A Jakarta-based newspaper says taxi driver robberies take
place once every three days," Sutiyoso said. (sur)