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TNI starts probe of fatal helicopter crash
The Indonesian Military (TNI) has begun an investigation into and a search for the black box of TNI helicopter Bell 412 following Sunday's fatal crash that killed 13 officers and soldiers, a TNI chief said on Monday.
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Central Sulawesi Tadulako 132 Military Resort Command (Korem) chief Col. Saiful Anwar (holding a military command stick) and Korem spokesperson chief Maj. Faqih Rasyid (far right) arrive in Watuatu village in Lore Piore sub-district of Poso in Central Sulawesi on Friday. The village serves as the tactical command post of Operation Tinombala, the hunt for Indonesia's terrorist fugitive Santoso. Both Saiful and Faqih died in an Army helicopter crash on Sunday, two days after this photo was taken. (thejakartapost.com/Ruslan Sangadji)
T
he Indonesian Military (TNI) has begun an investigation into and a search for the black box of TNI helicopter Bell 412 following Sunday's fatal crash that killed 13 officers and soldiers, a TNI chief said on Monday, adding that the operation to hunt for Indonesia's most wanted terrorist would still proceed.
Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo denied that the helicopter was brought down by gunshots from terrorists hiding in the area.
"So be it if there are predictions like that. It is everyone's right to have suspicions. But one thing is for sure, the helicopter crashed because of the weather," he told journalists at Palu, adding that the TNI would wait for the investigation results before evaluating.
All 13 victims of the fatal helicopter Bell 412 crash in Pattiro Bajo village of Poso Pesisir Selatan district will be brought to Jakarta on Monday to be buried at the Kalibata Hero Cemetery in South Jakarta.
Gatot went to Palu to monitor the situation directly, and as a representative of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, to offer condolences over the incident. He refused to give details on the victims' conditions after the crash.
"My presence here is on the President's order to see the conditions on the ground. [The President] expressed his deepest condolences," Gatot said.
The victims deserved to be buried at the Hero Cemetery, Gatot added, as they died during Operation Tinombala in pursuit of Indonesia's most wanted terrorist Santoso, aka Abu Wardah, in Poso.
Despite the fatal incident, the joint Tinombala operation by the TNI and the National Police will still proceed.
"There are victims in every battle. It is a common thing for a soldier," he said.
At least 2,500 officers of the TNI and the National Police have been on deployment since January, hunting for Santoso and around 34 of his followers, part of the East Indonesia Mujahidin terrorist group that is believed to be plotting guerilla attacks against security officers while hiding in the forests of Poso.
The victims of the helicopter crash include Central Sulawesi Tadulako 132 Military Resort Command (Korem) chief Col. Saiful Anwar, Palu Military Police Command (POM) commander Lt. Col. Teddy S. Prapat, National Intelligence Agency (BIN) officer Col. Ontang, Military Intelligence Division (BAIS) officer Col. Heri Setiaji, Korem 132 information chief Maj. Faqih Rasyid, Capt. Yanto, chief of the health division at the 1307 Poso Military District Command (Kodim) and Second Pvt. Kiki, assistant to the Korem 132 commander.
Six Army aviators, or the helicopter's crew, were also victims. They were the pilot, Capt. Agung, First Lieut. Wiradi (co-pilot), Second Lieut. Tito (co-pilot), First Sgt. Bagus (mechanic), Second Sgt. Karmin (mechanic) and First Pvt. Bangkit (avionics technician). (rin)
