Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Responds to String of Armed Criminal Group Attacks in Papua
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia – Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago responded to a string of attacks allegedly carried out by Armed Criminal Groups (KKB) in Papua. He plans to increase security personnel at Koroway Airport in South Papua following the shooting of a Smart Air aircraft by an armed group days earlier. The shooting killed the pilot and copilot flying the aircraft.
“Forces will be increased. Since it appears there are no military or police forces stationed there, we will add personnel so that incidents like that one don’t happen again,” Djamari said at Wisma Danantara, Jakarta, on Friday (2/13).
However, Djamari did not specify how many police or military personnel are planned to be deployed there.
At the same time, Djamari also highlighted the attack by the Free Papua Organization (OPM) on a PT Freeport Indonesia vehicle convoy at KM 50, Timika, Central Papua, on Wednesday (2/11). He said the perpetrators are also currently being pursued.
“The Freeport incident — they are also being pursued. The wounded and the fallen have already been evacuated. That’s all been taken care of. And we are hunting them down,” he said.
Previously, a Smart Air aircraft carrying 13 passengers was fired upon while landing at Koroway Batu Airport on Wednesday (2/11) at around 11:00 a.m. local time. Head of Operations for the Damai Cartenz Task Force Brig. Gen. Faizal Rahmadani said crew evacuation was scheduled for Thursday (2/12), preceded by security measures and crime scene processing by the task force team.
Additionally, members of the Free Papua Organization reportedly attacked a PT Freeport Indonesia vehicle convoy at KM 50, Timika, Central Papua, on Wednesday (2/11). XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command Spokesperson Lt. Col. Tri Purwanto explained the incident occurred while personnel from Koramil 1710-04/Tembagapura, Kodim 1710/Mimika, were on duty in the area.
“It is confirmed that a shooting incident occurred at KM 50 in the PT Freeport Indonesia area. All casualties have been evacuated and are receiving optimal medical treatment,” Tri said in a written statement.
Based on preliminary reports received by Military Command XVII/Cenderawasih, Sgt. First Class AC was killed in the firefight. Sgt. H suffered nasal bleeding, while one PT Freeport employee with the initials HR sustained a gunshot wound and is receiving treatment.
Most recently, a clean water tanker truck driver was shot along the Dekai-Lopon main road in Yahukimo, Papua, on Thursday (2/12). Head of the Damai Cartenz Operation Task Force Brig. Gen. Faizal Ramadhani said the incident began when the victim, Suwoni, was driving a vehicle carrying clean water supplies for the people of Lopon. The victim was suddenly shot from the roadside. As a result of the incident, Suwono suffered a gunshot wound to the left side of his back. Based on the preliminary investigation, suspicion points to an armed criminal group from the Yahukimo area. Authorities are still investigating the identities and connections of the group to ensure the legal process proceeds optimally.