Jamaica launches police-military joint operation to fight gang crime

Jamaica Constabulary Force and Defense Force launched a joint operation in the island' s western parish St. James on Tuesday as part of the authorities' anti-crime efforts in hotspot areas.

More than 100 policemen and 55 troops entered the community at 4 a.m. and the operation, aimed at seizing wanted men and illegal weapons, lasted several hours, Steve McGregor, head of the St. James police, told local radio RJR news.

McGregor said there was an encounter between law enforcement officers and gunmen. Two gunmen were shot and later pronounced dead at hospital. Two pistols were taken from them.

Twenty five people, including wanted men, were detained during the operation and they will be charged under the Anti Gang Legislation, according to McGregor.

The joint operation came as Jamaica gangs pointed guns at police. At least two police officers have been shot dead by gunmen in the past two weeks.

Minister of National Security Peter Bunting said the authorities will not allow "the attack at law and order" to go unpunished.

"I wish to assure the Jamaican people that police will not be deterred in their efforts to defend communities and to maintain the pressure on criminal elements," he said, adding the government has the capacity to track and apprehend attackers.