Irian Jaya rebels kill four Kopassus soldiers

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)