Bunting defends JDF action during West Kingston operation

The government has come out in support of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) following recent criticism about its use of mortar bombs just over two years ago, during the West Kingston operations.

The JDF received a lot of flak recently after it recanted from an earlier position and admitted that soldiers had used mortars during their search for then fugitive, Christopher Dudus Coke.

That admission followed the publication of a US cable, which backed up initial citizen reports that bomb-like structures were used by the security forces, during the operations.

During his Sectoral presentation today (July 17) Security Minister Peter Bunting sought to dispel what he describes as the negative rhetoric regarding the police/military operations.

While not making specific reference to the use of the mortars, Mr. Bunting gave general support for the military tactics used in West Kingston, considering the hostile situation that he says was facing law-enforcers.