Police to deploy snipers

Police to deploy snipers

JAKARTA: The police will deploy snipers across heavily
populated Java island to tighten security as millions of people
return to their villages to celebrate the end of the Muslim
fasting month.

The annual exodus this year coincides with fresh warnings from
the Indonesian government that the al-Qaida-linked Jamaah
Islamiyah (JI) terror group is again targeting the world's most
populous Muslim nation.

Two fugitive Malaysians alleged to be leaders of JI, which is
blamed for last year's Bali bombings and the August bombing of
the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, are somewhere on Java and
planning new attacks, police say.

"We are clearly on alert," National Police spokesman Brig.
Gen. Soenarko said on Saturday.

Soenarko said an unspecified number of snipers would be among
thousands of officers deployed along roads prone to violent
crime.

Beginning next week, roads across Java will be packed with
people traveling to their home villages to celebrate the end of
Ramadhan, which is scheduled to fall on Nov. 25.

The exodus leaves Java's major cities deserted but triggers
traffic jams the length of the island. Buses, trains and planes
will also be packed with holiday makers. --AP