Four killed as mob raids military post in E. Timor

DILI, East Timor (JP): A group of 50 people attacked the military headquarters at Alas subdistrict in Manufahi on Monday morning, killing three soldiers and making off with a cache of guns, rifles and ammunition.

A suspected member of the mob was also found dead at the headquarters, about 150 kilometers south of the East Timor capital of Dili.

The motive for the attack which started at 10 a.m. was unknown.

According to the chief of staff of the East Timor Wira Dharma/164 Military Command, Lt. Col. Supadi, the mob fled to hideouts in nearby forests after the raid.

"Obviously, the group consisted of members of Falentil (resistance movement) and local teenagers," Supadi told the media here on Tuesday.

He did not elaborate on how the soldiers or the attacker died, or whether there was a shootout.

Supadi identified the dead soldiers as Chief Sgt. Petrus Bere, Chief Private Calistro Hornai and First Private F.B. da Costa. The identity of the suspected attacker has been withheld.

All of them died at the scene.

"The attackers quickly left the scene after the four were killed, carrying several guns and ammunition from the military headquarters," Supadi said. He refused to disclose the type of weapons stolen.

Military sources said the group absconded with dozens of guns, rifles and ammunition from a warehouse.

Supadi said the brutal attack attracted the attention of visiting Brig. Gen. Mahidin Simbolon, chief of staff of the Udayana Military Command, which also supervises East Timor.

"After receiving the report, the chief of staff, who arrived here on Monday afternoon, immediately canceled his planned itinerary to resolve Saturday's incident in Lospalos."

In Lospalos, a private was beaten to death by his instructor during a training season.

"The chief of staff saw that the killing of the three officers during the attack at the Alas military headquarters was more important than the Lospalos incident," Supadi said.

He vowed to take stiff measures against the attackers.

"The Armed Forces (ABRI) in East Timor has already run out of patience. We are always the victims. We'll be strict this time," Supadi insisted.

"But, we're not going to take revenge against them. ABRI will seek their hideouts," he added.

"Besides, I'm also pretty sure that there are still many Alas residents who would not commit such crimes."

Troops have been dispatched at several sites in Manufahi regency. Supadi was confident of solving the case.

"They (the attackers) are still around the Alas area. They are just like devils which can go anywhere, anytime.

"I do believe that they will be caught sooner or later because God must listen to prayers from all of the military personnel deployed here in East Timor." (33/bsr)