VIVA \u2013 The TNI Habema Operational Command has affirmed that TNI\npersonnel were not involved in the incident resulting in the death of a\nchild from gunshot wounds in Jigiunggi Village, Papua. The statement\nrefutes reports that the child was a victim of a firefight between TNI\nand the Free Papua Organisation (OPM).<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was no activity by TNI soldiers in Jigiunggi Village at the\ntime of the shooting of the child,\u201d said the Head of Information for the\nTNI Habema Operational Command, Lieutenant Colonel Infantry Wirya\nArthadiguna, in an official press release from Koops Habema received on\nMonday, 20 April 2026.<\/p>\n
According to Wirya, two separate shooting incidents occurred on the\nsame day, Tuesday, 14 April 2026. \u201cThe first incident took place on 14\nApril 2026 in Kembru Village, Papua, where based on reports from the\npublic, there was a presence of an armed OPM group in the area,\u201d Wirya\nstated.<\/p>\n
Wirya continued that security forces immediately proceeded to the\nlocation to conduct an inspection. Upon arrival, the forces received\ngunfire from the OPM group, leading to an exchange of fire.<\/p>\n
Four OPM members were recorded as having been killed in the\nfirefight. Afterwards, the security forces seized several pieces of\nevidence belonging to the perpetrators.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe security forces secured several pieces of evidence indicating\nthe activities of the armed group, including two homemade firearms, one\nair rifle, 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm ammunition, one spent cartridge, a bow\nand arrows, as well as various sharp weapons such as machetes, axes,\nswords, and knives,\u201d he revealed.<\/p>\n
On the same day, TNI received a report from village head Venius Walia\nstating that one of his villagers, a child, had died from a gunshot\nwound.<\/p>\n
\u201cTNI immediately conducted a check and confirmed the presence of the\nvictim. However, to date, an in-depth investigation and probe are still\nbeing carried out to ascertain the exact cause of the incident,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Thus, Wirya emphasised that the shooting incident did not involve TNI\nmembers. Wirya assured that the examination of the findings would be\nconducted transparently to uphold justice.<\/p>\n
\u201cTNI is committed to acting professionally, transparently, and\naccountably in every execution of duties,\u201d he stated.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-denies-involvement-in-shooting-of-child-in-jigiunggi-village-papua-1776696650", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }