Large-scale offensive begins in mock war over the Natunas
Large-scale offensive begins in mock war over the Natunas
By Ridwan M. Sijabat
RANAI, Natuna Island (JP): Indonesian jets fired rockets from
the air while warships a few miles from the shore launched
missiles to provide cover for yesterday's massive landing of
several battalions of troopers on this island.
Yesterday was D-day in the mock war in which Indonesian forces
were dispatched to recapture the Natunas, a strategically located
territory that is also rich in oil and gas, from "enemy" hands.
The massive landing on Cape Sengiap was far from smooth, with
the enemy putting up strong resistance from their coastal area
stronghold. Progress was slow, with enemy soldiers leaving lethal
mines as they were being forced to retreat inland.
One mine exploded when a convoy of Indonesian amphibious
panzers and tanks were making the beach landing.
Dozens of soldiers, members of the Indonesian marines, were
injured, according to a bulletin issued by the Indonesian forces.
One battalion of marines was part of the initial landing
operation, as were dozens of tanks and armored cars. They arrived
from the armada of 40 warships sent to the area from Jakarta.
Later on, eight transport planes parachuted another battalion
of the Army's Strategic Reserve Command in the same location to
beef up the Indonesian operation to retake the island.
The big joint exercise involves more than 19,000 soldiers from
the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. In addition, 40 warships
and 50 warplanes are also involved in the drill, which began on
Sept. 4 and is scheduled to end Sept. 19.
Journalists
This may be a mock war, but for a group of Indonesian
journalists invited to cover the event, it almost proved fatal
when they were caught in crossfire during the massive landing.
On one occasion, a massive bomb explosion missed the group of
journalists by only a few minutes.
The journalists had insisted that they be provided with a
separate boat so they could cover the landing.
The wrath, however, fell on the officer who drove the boat.
"If anything happens to them, you will be executed," the angry
commandant screamed at the unfortunate officer.
Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung was witnessing the
"retaking" of Natuna from Tanjung Datuk, about eight miles from
where the action was taking place.
A number of military officers from neighboring countries and
military attaches from foreign embassies in Jakarta were also
invited.
Feisal said everything went according to plan.
"The result has been good. You saw it for yourself," he told
reporters.
The battle over the shores has been won, but not the war over
the island.
In terms of body counts, according to a medical officer, it
was a major victory. The enemy lost 200 soldiers and many
injuries, while Indonesia had several people injured but no
deaths.
Today, the war game will proceed, with the Indonesian forces
expected to continue their onslaught against enemy lines on
Natuna island.