Large-scale offensive begins in mock war over the Natunas<\/p>\n
By Ridwan M. Sijabat<\/p>\n
RANAI, Natuna Island (JP): Indonesian jets fired rockets from
\nthe air while warships a few miles from the shore launched
\nmissiles to provide cover for yesterday's massive landing of
\nseveral battalions of troopers on this island.<\/p>\n
Yesterday was D-day in the mock war in which Indonesian forces
\nwere dispatched to recapture the Natunas, a strategically located
\nterritory that is also rich in oil and gas, from \"enemy\" hands.<\/p>\n
The massive landing on Cape Sengiap was far from smooth, with
\nthe enemy putting up strong resistance from their coastal area
\nstronghold. Progress was slow, with enemy soldiers leaving lethal
\nmines as they were being forced to retreat inland.<\/p>\n
One mine exploded when a convoy of Indonesian amphibious
\npanzers and tanks were making the beach landing.<\/p>\n
Dozens of soldiers, members of the Indonesian marines, were
\ninjured, according to a bulletin issued by the Indonesian forces.<\/p>\n
One battalion of marines was part of the initial landing
\noperation, as were dozens of tanks and armored cars. They arrived
\nfrom the armada of 40 warships sent to the area from Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Later on, eight transport planes parachuted another battalion
\nof the Army's Strategic Reserve Command in the same location to
\nbeef up the Indonesian operation to retake the island.<\/p>\n
The big joint exercise involves more than 19,000 soldiers from
\nthe Army, the Navy and the Air Force. In addition, 40 warships
\nand 50 warplanes are also involved in the drill, which began on
\nSept. 4 and is scheduled to end Sept. 19.<\/p>\n
Journalists<\/p>\n
This may be a mock war, but for a group of Indonesian
\njournalists invited to cover the event, it almost proved fatal
\nwhen they were caught in crossfire during the massive landing.<\/p>\n
On one occasion, a massive bomb explosion missed the group of
\njournalists by only a few minutes.<\/p>\n
The journalists had insisted that they be provided with a
\nseparate boat so they could cover the landing.<\/p>\n
The wrath, however, fell on the officer who drove the boat.<\/p>\n
\"If anything happens to them, you will be executed,\" the angry
\ncommandant screamed at the unfortunate officer.<\/p>\n
Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung was witnessing the
\n\"retaking\" of Natuna from Tanjung Datuk, about eight miles from
\nwhere the action was taking place.<\/p>\n
A number of military officers from neighboring countries and
\nmilitary attaches from foreign embassies in Jakarta were also
\ninvited.<\/p>\n
Feisal said everything went according to plan.<\/p>\n
\"The result has been good. You saw it for yourself,\" he told
\nreporters.<\/p>\n
The battle over the shores has been won, but not the war over
\nthe island.<\/p>\n
In terms of body counts, according to a medical officer, it
\nwas a major victory. The enemy lost 200 soldiers and many
\ninjuries, while Indonesia had several people injured but no
\ndeaths.<\/p>\n
Today, the war game will proceed, with the Indonesian forces
\nexpected to continue their onslaught against enemy lines on
\nNatuna island.<\/p>",
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