Cenderawasih Military Command: TNI takes steps to secure Jila residents from armed criminal group

Jayapura (ANTARA) - Commander of the XVII Cenderawasih Regional Military Command, Major General TNI Febriel Sikumbang, said the TNI is continuing to coordinate to take steps to secure residents of Jila, Mimika Regency, Central Papua, who were reported to have been taken or held hostage by an armed criminal group (KKB).

Currently, data collection is underway to determine the steps to be taken in efforts to locate the community members taken by the KKB.

“This is being done to secure the community in that area, including securing the residents reported to have been taken by the KKB,” said Commander of the XVII Cenderawasih Regional Military Command, Major General TNI Febriel Buyung Sikumbang, to Antara in Jayapura on Thursday.

He said that the Commander of the 173/PVB Military Resort Command is currently in Timika to coordinate regarding the case, and the Mimika regional government is also working to provide assistance to the community.

Previously, on Wednesday (19/8), the 173/PVB Military Resort Command and the TNI Joint Operations Command visited Jila, and the security situation in the area has gradually become conducive.

“Security measures have been coordinated so that the area returns to a conducive state,” said Commander of the XVII Cenderawasih Regional Military Command, Major General TNI Febriel Sikumbang.

Previously, the KKB was reported to have taken nine women in Pasir Putih Village, Jila District, Mimika Regency, since Monday (17/8) and Tuesday (18/8).