Jakarta, Indonesia.- Around 50,000 soldiers and police officers will monitor the development of the Asian Games (ASIAD 2018), scheduled to begin next Saturday in Indonesia, said the spokesman for the organizing committee, Danny Buldansyah.

These troops, dedicated specifically to ensure security during the event, are in addition to the other 50,000 agents routinely deployed in the country, Buldansyah said, according to The Jakarta Post.

Some 17,000 athletes and judges from 45 Asian countries will participate in the four-year event, which this time will be held in the cities of Jakarta and Palembang.

The mission of our officers is to prevent attacks, said the head of the National Police, Tito Karnavian.

After a number of terrorist attacks in the cities of Surabaya and Riau, the Indonesian authorities have taken extreme security measures, especially in the lead-up to the Asian Games.

About 300 suspects of extremist activity have been arrested and 21 others have died in the operations as a result of resisting arrest, Karnavian added.

Last week, the police in the capital launched an operation to safeguard the tranquility of ASIAD 2018, which includes sports facilities, accommodation, travel routes and tourist sites.

The 18th Asian Games 2018 are scheduled for August 18 – September 2.