Sergeant Rizal Called His Father Before Being Killed in Lebanon
An Indonesian TNI soldier serving in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, Praka Farizal Romadhon alias Praka Rizal, was reported to have been killed in an attack by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) artillery on Sunday, 29 March 2026.
The victim had communicated with his family several hours before the fatal incident. The victim’s biological father, Senam, stated that he had spoken with his son via telephone on Sunday evening. In that brief conversation, the late Praka Rizal conveyed no particular message.
“Sunday afternoon around after Maghrib, we still managed to communicate. But (Praka Rizal) only said, ‘Dad, is your signal bad, Dad?’ After that, there was no more news,” said Senam when met at the mourning house in Dusun Ledok, Sidorejo, Kulon Progo, on Monday, 30 March 2026.
Until Monday afternoon, the family claimed they had not received detailed official information from TNI Headquarters regarding the chronology of Praka Farizal’s death or the schedule for the body’s return.
Uncertainty about information was also experienced by the victim’s wife, Azila, who is currently in Aceh. “Just now phoned to Aceh (the victim’s wife), there also no definite news yet on when it will arrive here,” said Senam.
Praka Farizal was known as a gentle figure and active in his residential environment. He leaves behind a wife and one child who is still three years old.
Regarding the burial plans, the family has decided to bury the body at the Nambangan Public Cemetery (TPU), Kulon Progo. “If possible (buried) here alone close to home, so it’s close if we want to visit, pay respects,” he said.
The family chose that location to be closer to home compared to burying in another place like the Heroes’ Cemetery.
Observations at the location showed that the mourning house had been set up with a tent and rows of chairs to welcome mourners. Nevertheless, the family is still waiting for certainty on the arrival time of the body, considering air transportation constraints from the conflict area.
In addition to Praka Rizal, three other TNI soldiers were also injured in the attack and are now receiving intensive medical treatment at the hospital.