Commander Orders Troops into Bunkers as Soldier Safety Becomes Priority

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto has finally ordered TNI personnel participating in the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon to remain inside bunkers, after three soldiers were killed in an Israeli attack.

Agus instructed them all to stop all activities outside the base.

“Maintain the morale of the soldiers there, continue carrying out internal security, enter the bunkers, and there should be no activities going outside,” Agus said to the Task Force Commander of Yonmek XXIII-S/UNIFIL in Lebanon on Friday (3/4/2026).

Not only that, Agus also emphasised the importance of keeping the spirits of the soldiers high amid the heated situation.

Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General Maruli Simanjuntak assured that the TNI has standard operating procedures (SOP) that regulate the actions of soldiers in certain field conditions.

This is also to ensure the security and safety of TNI soldiers in the field.

“Yes, actually, they already have SOPs. SOPs for what must be done in what conditions. So, I think their SOPs are already there, and how the implementation will proceed is just a matter of time,” Maruli said when met at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Saturday (4/4/2026).

Maruli advised the families of TNI soldiers serving in the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon not to feel anxious amid the escalating security situation.

He emphasised that the soldiers serving in the peacekeeping mission area understand the steps that must be taken in various situations.

Lawmakers from Senayan also support the Commander’s decision for the soldiers to take shelter in bunkers first.

For example, Deputy Chairman of Commission I DPR Dave Laksono.

Dave affirmed that the decision to take shelter in bunkers is the right decision.

Because, he said, it shows that Indonesia still respects the UN mandate, while also mitigating risks to the lives of TNI troops on duty.