THE State yesterday vowed to continue its effort to capture Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, recover illegal weapons in Tivoli Gardens and to rout criminal elements across the island.

The pledge came during a press conference at Jamaica House in Kingston where it was confirmed that 26 men have been killed, and 211 people -- including two women -- detained during the security forces' operation in Tivoli Gardens that started on Monday to apprehend Coke, who is wanted in the United States on drug- and gun-running charges.

The operation, which was also aimed at restoring order to the community that had mounted barricades to prevent the security forces from entering, resulted in gunmen loyal to Coke engaging police and soldiers in fierce clashes.

The majority of the civilians killed are gunmen, Acting Commissioner of Police Glenmore Hinds told the Observer yesterday following the press conference.

A soldier has been killed and seven others injured, National Security Minister Dwight Nelson said.

He said weapons were recovered from the men, some of whom were found dead in ditches and manning barricades leading into Tivoli Gardens.

Approximately 25 civilians have been injured during the operation the press conference was told.

During yesterday's briefing to update reporters on the joint police/military operation both Nelson, and Information Minister Daryl Vaz said the State will not back down from criminals.

Vaz said that it was now an opportune time to launch an all-out attack on criminals across the island, given the events that unfolded in Tivoli Gardens in West Kingston and other sections of the capital where heavily armed gunmen openly took on members of the security forces, creating mayhem and great unrest.

Said Vaz: "As a result of this operation there have been other criminal activities that have taken place in and around the Corporate Area which transcend political party lines and its strictly criminal elements either joining one another or using it as a distraction -- and the fact of the matter is that I can categorically state that the time has come when we have to take the [fight] frontally, without any apologies.

"So therefore, don't limit it to a matter of an operation in relation to the execution of a warrant. This country is under siege, and the time has come where it is going to be dealt with and this Government is ready to deal with it."

Since the armed forces commenced the operation in Tivoli on Monday, there have been an upsurge in roadblocks and intense gun battles between criminals and members of the security forces across the capital city, which is more than 100 miles east of the tourist resort city of Montego Bay and on which a limited State of Public Emergency has been imposed.

The Hannah Town Police Station in West Kingston was also torched during the unrest on Sunday and three police officers have been killed while trading bullets with gunmen. On Monday, the Darling Street Police Station, as well as the Coronation Market were set ablaze by gunmen.

Speaking at yesterday's press conference, Nelson said that the effort to arrest Coke was ongoing.

"The operation continues as we speak. The armed forces are examining each building to ensure that there are no criminals ensconced within and in search of weapons," said Nelson, who added that a number of weapons, bullet-proof vests and binoculars have been found.

Nelson also said that Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair, Public Defender Earl Witter and the Red Cross have been asked to investigate claims by residents in West Kingston that they are being abused by members of the security forces. (A complaint hotline, 946-1248, has been set up.)

Responding to a question at the briefing, ACP Hinds told the Observer that investigations are currently being conducted into the shooting death and injuring of soldiers during Monday's operation and that murder and gun-related charges may be slapped on Coke, based on the outcome of the probe.

Meanwhile, an appeal was made by Health Minister Ruddy Spencer for gunmen within communities in the vicinity of the Kingston Public Hospital to cease from attacking hospital workers.

A clearing house on the operation in West Kingston has been established at the Hilton Kingston Hotel to provide information to the media, both local and overseas, Vaz said.