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