he Cendrawasih Military Command (Kodam) in Papua beefed up security following an encounter between armed civilians and military personnel in Puncak Jaya regency, Papua, on Sunday which resulted in the deaths of two military personnel.
“I order all levels of personnel of Cenderawasih Kodam to increase their caution in every post,” Cendrawasih Kodam 17 commander Maj. Gen. George E Supit said Monday.
“And to chase the armed separatist criminal group [the Papua National Liberation Army], which is based in the forests of inland Papua,” he added.
George, however, ensured that the situation in Papua remained "under control" because the scene was relatively far from the center of public activities.
Lt. Inf. Arman Blegur, the head of military task force for safeguarding vulnerable areas in Tingginambut, and First Officer Fredi, a member of the task force, were shot by armed civilians on Sunday afternoon.
The incident occurred when the armed civilians encountered the victims at the Tingginambut bridge. At that time, the soldiers were heading to a village after receiving a call from Teranus Enumbi, a member of the armed group who requested food in exchange for firearms that they had, according to the military command. The two soldiers rode a motorcycle to the village at around 1:30 p.m., but half an hour later residents reported that the two had been shot.
When found, the victims had suffered gunshot wounds and a bow shot. The bodies were then transferred to Mulia Hospital in Papua before being flown to Jakarta to their families on Monday morning. (sau/swd)
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