Irian Jaya rebels kill four Kopassus soldiers

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Security authorities in the restive province of Irian Jaya have stepped up their search for the separatist rebels accused of killing four soldiers from the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) on Saturday.

Trikora Military Commander Maj. Gen. Mahidin Simbolon said on Sunday two platoons from Kopassus and the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) were combing the jungle near Kuitav Betav village in Pantai Timur district for the rebels.

"I have ordered a search for the rebels responsible for this attack," Mahidin said.

Second Sgt. Zulkarnain, Second Sgt. Wani, Chief Sgt. Nandang and Pvt. Sudirman were found dead, their bodies covered with severe cuts, after some 100 armed rebels attacked a military post in Kuivar Betav at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Another Kopassus member, Pvt. Paulinus, survived the attack.

The head of Kopassus' Tribuana unit, Col. Nus RHN, said on Sunday there were seven soldiers assigned to the post, but two of them were away from the post at the time of the attack.

The raid came just minutes after an attack by a smaller group of alleged rebels, who the soldiers were able to turn back.

The assailants in the second attack, armed with arrows, spears and machetes, snatched six SS-1 rifles, a handgun and ammunition from the military post.

They captured four of the Kopassus soldiers defending the post and tortured them to death.

One of the attackers, identified as Mesak Dawin, who is known to be a military instructor for the Papua rebels, was killed in the incident.

The remains of Zulkarnain, Wani and Nandang were flown to Jakarta on Sunday morning for burial, while the body of Sudirman was transported to his hometown, the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar.

Mahidin accused a rebel leader in the Bonggo district in the Jayawijaya hinterland, Hans Ore Yuweni, of masterminding the attack.

"We do not know the real motive of the attack but it is probably related to an earlier handover of guns by another rebel leader, Max Rumbiak, in January," Mahidin said.

Rumbiak surrendered on Jan. 22 two guns seized by his followers on Christmas Eve to Kopassus troops assigned to the Betav military post.

Mahidin said Rumbiak's decision to turn in the guns apparently angered Hans.

"We have detected cracks in the rebel group. We also have received reports that during the attack the rebels demanded the guns be given back to them," Mahidin said.

Free Papua Movement rebels operating in Irian Jaya have carried out numerous attacks and abductions over the years, the most recent being the kidnapping of 16 employees, including three South Korean executives, of PT Korindo timber company in Merauke regency in January.

The military post attacked on Saturday is located near an office of timber company Somalindo in Kuivar village.

Kopassus has deployed its personnel to Irian Jaya to back up security authorities in maintaining peace and order in the province.

The Kopassus troops are stationed at several posts across 14 regencies here. Each post has between five and seven Kopassus members. (35/edt)