Heavy Explosions in West Kingston as Police, Soldiers Converge on Dudus Tivoli Gardens Stronghold

Police and soldiers told to shoot agitators on sight! For the latest from Jamaica's limited state of emergency in Kingston & St. Andrew, see below:

From the Jamaica Observer:

HEAVY explosions are ringing out in West Kingston as a large contingent of police and soldiers have converged on the volatile community of Tivoli Gardens in an effort to bring in reputed don, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

Plumes of smoke can also be seen rising from the area. Until now the security forces have taken a soft-handed approach even in the face of constant attacks by gunmen which resulted in the deaths of two cops and the injury of six others.

The cops were attacked as they attempted to clear a roadblock at Mountain View Avenue. Stung by the deaths of their colleagues lawmen have launched on offensive on Tivoli Gardens, Coke's stomping ground and the power base of Prime Minister Bruce Golding's West Kingston constituency. There were also reports that the violence had spread to sections of a community known as 'Southside' near to the Kingston Central Police station. Jamaica Defence Force soldiers and police have been deployed to that area to quell the disturbance. Gunmen and police were also engaged in a running gunbattle in the Central Kingston community of Woodford Park.

The police and soldiers have been given permission by the Jamaican government to shoot agitators on sight. I am getting first hand information from a relative in Kingston.

Click here to read Christopher "Dudus" Coke's indictment.

UPDATE#1:  Two Jamaica Defense Force soldiers were shot after taking on gunmen during an offensive against Tivoli Gardens Monday.  Both are expected to survive.

UPDATE#2: One soldier killed, four shot in shootout with thugs. Violence continues.

UPDATE#3:  According to Radio Jamaica,  ( 7:34 p.m. EST)

The US Embassy has alerted its citizens of escalating violence, shootings and unrest in a number of neighborhoods in the Kingston and Spanish Town. In an email sent to its citizens, the embassy has warned Americans in the Kingston and Spanish Town areas to stay at home until an all-clear has been announced in the local media. It said that because of the instability of the situation, they are advised to defer non-essential travel to the greater Kingston area. The email also advised that access to the Norman Manley International Airport is being blocked on an intermittent basis by gun battles between criminal elements and police.