Nabire, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) troops led by Perek Jelas Kogeya claimed to have shot dead nine of the Indonesian Military (TNI) members and seized nine firearms in Yal District, Nduga Regency, Mountainous Papua Province.
“TPNPB troops attacked a TNI post in Yal District, shot dead nine soldiers, and seized nine guns on Saturday,” TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom told Jubi in a written statement on Sunday, April 16, 2023.
“TPNPB leader Egianus Kogoya will continue this attack with the nine weapons,” he added.
However, according to the head of the TNI Information Center Rear Adm. Julius Widjojono, only one Yonif 321/GT soldier died while carrying out tasks in Mugi District, Nduga Regency, Mountainous Papua.
“Until 2 p.m. [Jakarta time], the information I received was that only one person died, namely First Pvt. Miftahul Arifin. We have not received any other information because it is difficult to reach the location due to the weather,” said Widjojono during a press conference in East Jakarta on Sunday, as quoted by Antara News.
First Pvt. Miftahul Arifin died on April 15, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. Papua time.
Julius said Arifin was a member of Yonif 321/GT assigned to Mugi to sweep the area in a search for the Susi Air Pilot Phillip Mehrtens, a New Zealand national who was held hostage by the TPNPB. (*)
