Top Guns

The Indonesian police's widened role under 'democracy' has upset the military. The latest dispute in this long-dormant conflict is the purchase of thousands of Russian AK rifles.

March 27, 2001

Three truckloads of the Gegana elite forces of the police Mobile Brigade stand ready to pounce at a crossroads. They face a hail of fire from masked men lying face-down by the road, armed with automatic weapons. But the police warriors do not flinch an inch. Dozens of armed Brimob officers coolly jump out and scatter, holding in their hands brand-new AK-101 assault rifles. They roll on the ground, then counterattack. Amid the hail of bullets, two

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