Jamaican security forces have launched an assault in Kingston on the stronghold of alleged¹ drugs lord Christopher "Dudus" Coke.

牙买加安全部队在首都金斯敦对毒枭疑犯克里斯托弗·杜杜什·扣克的大本营进行了一次突袭。

Heavy gunfire erupted（爆发，长出） as they moved in to the Tivoli Gardens district and a number of casualties（人员伤亡） have been reported.

Supporters of Mr Coke are fighting to stop his extradition²（引渡） to the US on drug and gun running charges.

Two officers have been killed in the unrest and six others wounded.

There are reports of bodies lying in the streets in the latest operation, the BBC's Nick Davis in Kingston says.

The Jamaican Observer reported that at least two soldiers had been shot, one in the chest, and had been taken to hospital.

There are also reports of violence in other parts of Kingston, raising fears that the unrest is spreading.

A state of emergency was declared in parts of Kingston on Friday after several police stations were attacked.

Huge support

Our correspondent says the operation started shortly before midday, and large numbers of soldiers were seen heading to the poor Tivoli Gardens in west Kingston.

Plumes³ of smoke could be seen coming from the area as police helicopters buzzed overhead.

Security Minister Dwight Nelson said the soldiers, in a joint⁴ operation with police, had broken down the barricades⁵ around Tivoli Gardens and were doing a house-to-house search for Mr Coke.

"The purpose of the operation is to execute the warrant for extradition and to detain [Coke] so he can appear in court," he told the BBC.

He insisted the police were "doing everything in their power to ensure the city remains⁶ safe".

But some reports said police had met heavy resistance from armed gunmen as they tried to enter Tivoli Gardens.

Residents in the area have been advised to remain indoors.

But one resident said on local radio: "Somebody please come help we, somebody please come help we."

She said a girl had been killed and witnesses have reported an unspecified number of casualties, the AFP news agency reports.

Tivoli Gardens is a stronghold of support for 41-year-old Mr Coke - who says he is a community leader - and is represented in parliament by Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

Mr Coke's supporters see him as a man who is fulfilling a role that the government does not, such as giving them money to support their children.

They have staged protests and barricaded⁷ streets to stop his arrest and extradition.

But the US Justice Department says Mr Coke is one of the world's most dangerous drug barons⁸（毒枭） . He is accused of leading a gang called the Shower Posse - owing to the volume of bullets used in shootings - and operating an international smuggling⁹ network.

He faces a life sentence if convicted on charges filed against him in New York.

The gang has also been blamed for numerous murders in Jamaica and the US.

The trouble started last week when Mr Golding said he was prepared to send Mr Coke to the US on drugs and weapons trafficking charges.

The decision reversed（翻转，颠倒） nine months of opposition¹⁰ to his extradition.

Mr Golding had argued that the evidence against Mr Coke was obtained illegally by intercepting¹¹（拦截） mobile telephone calls.

But he changed his mind in the face of growing public discontent（不满） , and questions about his possible ties to Mr Coke.

He has denounced the unrest as a "calculated assault on the authority of the state that cannot be tolerated".