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)