KINGSTON, Jamaica – The security forces are on high alert following Wednesday’s killing of a man said to be a high-ranking gang member on Content Avenue off Waltham Park Road in St Andrew.

The police said they had received intelligence that members of the man’s gang were planning to launch several retaliatory attacks on the security forces.

The deceased, 23-year-old Shacqol Pounal, otherwise called ‘Track Star’ from Content Avenue, was shot dead during a police operation in the community shortly after 5:30 am.

A 9mm pistol with three rounds of 9mm cartridges was seized from the now-deceased, the police reported.

Head of Area Four, Assistant Commissioner Michael Phipps, said the police are warning gang members to think twice about any impending attack on the security forces.

“We want to use this opportunity to just alert those persons who might be stupid enough to think that they can attack our security forces and win. We want to let them know that we are more than trained, and we are prepared to defend ourselves against any attack,” ACP Phipps told Observer Online.

“Of course, we will be using all lawful means in repelling any threat force that shall rise up against the security forces at this time,” the ACP added.

Police said Pounal is the second in command of the 7s Gang, which operates from sections of Bay Farm Road, 75 Lane, 77 Lane, Campbell Boulevard and Norwich and Content Avenues.

The members of the gang are reportedly aligned with the Mahoe Drive Gang in the St Andrew South division, the police said.

The 7s gang leader is currently abroad, and Pounal reportedly managed the day-to-day operations by coordinating all the clique’s activities, including contract killings.

According to the police, there has been heightened tension within the Waltham Park area of the St Andrew Central division, resulting from a long-standing feud between the 7s and Dust City gangs.

This feud, police revealed, has had a tremendous effect on the social life of residents of several communities, including the children and their education.

Pounal was being sought in connection with several murders and shootings, including a quadruple murder last November in the St Andrew South division.