One rebel dead, soldier shot in Papua fighting

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post/Jayapura

A group of suspected Free Papua Movement (OPM) rebels attacked on Tuesday 15 Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers in Lima Jari subdistrict, Puncak Jaya regency, leaving one rebel dead and one soldier severely injured.

The attack occurred at about 8:30 a.m. local time, when a group of TNI soldiers on patrol in Lima Jari subdistrict was fired upon by suspected rebels hiding behind a hillock.

Pvt. Joseph from the Army's elite Special Forces, who was at the head of the military patrol, was hit in the shoulder during this initial salvo.

He was immediately aided by his colleagues and taken to Mulia Hospital in Puncak Jaya, before being evacuated to Jayapura, the capital of Papua province. Lima Jari subdistrict is about 750 kilometers southwest of Jayapura.

"The moment I was shot I dropped my rifle, and one of the rebels came from behind the hill and tried to grab my rifle, but I was able to grab it first and sling it across my back. The rebel then returned to behind the hill," Joseph said at the Marthen Indey Army Hospital in Jayapura.

He said that both sides exchanged gunfire before the rebels fled.

Joseph said there were about 50 rebels involved in the attack, armed with at least five firearms.

The chief of staff at the Trikora Military Command, Brig. Gen. Getson Manurung, said in Jayapura on Wednesday there were indications the attack was carried out by the Goliat Tabuni rebel group, which is known to operate in the area.

"We can try to track them down, but they blend in with the locals who they use as human shields. The military must be careful and constantly try to differentiate between local residents and the rebels," he said.

This was the second gunfight to take place in the area in the past month. The first incident occurred on Aug. 17, leaving two suspected rebels dead and a Special Forces soldier, First Pvt. Odji, injured.

Getson said it was thought the two attacks were carried out by the same group of OPM rebels.

The incident is not expected to affect local voting in the presidential election runoff on Sept. 20, Getson said.

"There is no reason not to hold the election there, and there will not be any reinforcement troops. The troops already deployed in the area will be able to maintain the situation," he said.

Following the ambush, Papua Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. FA Purwoko reminded his officers to remain on the alert for groups that might try to disrupt the election or keep people from going to the polls.

Papua Police Headquarters has mobilized two-thirds of its force, or about 6,500 officers. They will be assisted by 1,200 military personnel in guarding polling stations across the province.