Jayapura, Jubi – In an armed confrontation with combined Indonesian Military (TNI) and Police forces on Sunday (21/1/2024) and Tuesday (23/1/2024), five members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in the Intan Jaya region were reported dead.
The individuals identified are Oni Kobagau, Jaringan Belau, Agustia, Ones, and Melkias Maisani.
“Initially, it was reported that three TPNPB members died in the shootout, but after further examination, the death toll has reached five individuals,” said Sr. Comr. Faizal Ramadhani, the Head Cartenz Peace Operation in Jayapura on Tuesday.
According to Faizal, TPNPB terror against security forces occurred again as the aircraft carrying personnel from the Peace Cartenz Law Enforcement Task Force was landing in Intan Jaya, Papua.
“This morning around 09:30 WIB, the aircraft was shot by TPNPB until it landed, and after landing, we received assistance from the TNI Perimeter Post Yon 330/TD. The shots are suspected to have come from the direction of the Catholic Church of Saint Misael, Bilogai,” he stated.
During the incident, security forces from the TNI Perimeter Post Yonif 330/TD immediately responded by firing back at the TPNPB group.
“Drone observations revealed that one TPNPB member, named Melkias Maisani, was killed. However, both the body and the firearms used were taken away by other comrades,” he said.
Head of the Public Relations Task Force for Cartenz Peace, Adj. Sr. Comr. Bayu Suseno, stated that they would continue to make strong efforts to address the terror activities of the TPNPB group that poses a constant threat to security in the Intan Jaya region.
“The authorities are intensifying efforts to handle the security situation in the area while monitoring developments and providing maximum protection to the local community,” said Bayu.
In response to the events in Intan Jaya, Bayu urged the local community to remain calm and not be provoked by misleading information that may come from unclear sources. (*)
