Soldier Killed in Security Post Attack in Nabire

A soldier died in an attack and arson incident at a security post in the Makimi district, Nabire Regency, Central Papua, on Saturday, February 21st.

The Head of Public Information for the Cenderawasih Military Command (Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih), Lieutenant Colonel Inf Tri Purwanto, explained that the location targeted in the arson attack was not a military post, but a security post belonging to PT Kristalin Eka Lestari (KEL).

The post is often referred to by local residents as Pos Palang, because of its location outside the PT KEL area.

“We need to clarify that what was burned was not a military post, but a company security post,” said Tri in a written statement on Wednesday, February 25th.

He stated that in the incident, two people were reported as victims.

One of them was a member of the TNI, namely Sergeant Hamdani, who was a member of the Deninteldam XVII/Cen, carrying out monitoring duties in Nabire, and a civilian named Aksay Sandika Moho, who was an employee of PT KEL.

Both were victims in the action allegedly carried out by the Papua Independence Organisation (OPM).

“We, on behalf of the Kodam, express our deepest condolences for this incident and hope that the families left behind will always be given strength and sincerity,” he said.

He explained that the body of Sergeant Hamdani had been sent for the funeral process which was carried out in Maros, South Sulawesi, on Monday, February 23rd.

Regarding information about alleged weapons stolen in the incident, he stated that his party was still conducting further investigations.

“Currently, Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih is conducting an investigation to ensure whether there were any weapons stolen in the incident,” he said.