TNI: Body of Fallen Soldier in Lebanon in Process of Repatriation to Indonesia

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has stated that the body of soldier Praka Farizal Rhomadhon, who was killed in an Israeli attack on a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) guard post, is currently being laid in state at the East Sector Headquarters on Sunday (29/3). The soldier’s body is in the process of being repatriated to Indonesia. “The fallen soldier is currently being laid in state at the East Sector Headquarters (HQ) and is undergoing administrative procedures for repatriation to Indonesia with assistance from the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut,” said TNI’s Head of Information, Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, in his statement on Monday (30/3). Previously, Israel bombarded the Adchit Al Qusayr area, where the UNIFIL guard post is located, over the weekend. UNIFIL reported that the soldier died from a projectile explosion at their post, with several personnel injured in the attack. In his statement, Aulia explained that the incident affected TNI soldiers attached to Company C UNP 7-1 Task Force Yonmek XXIII-S/UNIFIL. In addition to Farizal, who was declared fallen, Aulia stated that Praka Rico Pramudia sustained serious injuries, while two other soldiers, Praka Bayu Prakoso and Praka Arif Kurniawan, suffered minor injuries. Aulia said that Praka Bayu and Praka Arif have received medical treatment. The two soldiers with minor injuries have been treated at UNIFIL’s Level I Hospital. Meanwhile, the soldier with serious injuries was evacuated by helicopter to St. George Hospital in Beirut. “The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) expresses deep condolences over the death of one TNI soldier and the injuries sustained due to the incident in the UNIFIL area of operations resulting from the escalation of the security situation,” said Aulia. The news of the TNI soldier’s death as part of UNIFIL was previously confirmed by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The attack by Israeli forces occurred near Adchit Al Qusayr. Through his X social media account, Guterres issued a strong condemnation of the attack that killed one Indonesian peacekeeper attached to UNIFIL. “I strongly condemn the Sunday incident that killed an Indonesian peacekeeper from @UNIFIL_ amid the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Another Indonesian peacekeeper was seriously injured in the same incident,” Guterres wrote. “I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased peacekeeper, and to Indonesia. I wish for the injured peacekeeper to recover fully. This is just one of several recent incidents that have endangered the safety and security of peacekeepers,” he continued in his statement.