TNI retakes Ilaga, forces rebels to flee
RK Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura
Security forces on Tuesday began to retake Ilaga, pushing rebel forces which had occupied the small hinterland town in Puncak Jaya regency since Friday to the outskirts of town near the airport.
Military sources at the Trikora military command told The Jakarta Post they were confident of success and said it was only a matter of time before soldiers and police regained full control of the town.
An intelligence officer, who asked not to be named, said rebel forces had been pushed back to the outskirts of the town near Gomay village.
However, there was no information on whether security forces had encountered resistance as they retook the town. There were also no immediate reports of casualties.
According to the military, the separatist Free Papua Organization's National Liberation Front (TPN) on Friday occupied the district capital, running amok burning down buildings and forcing residents to flee.
Since Monday the military has steadily begun reinforcing troops to the Ilaga district command which originally comprised just 26 soldiers and police.
Weather has been the main obstacle to flying in troops from the provincial capital of Jayapura.
On Monday two helicopters loaded with fully armed soldiers had been sent to Ilaga.
Separately, Antara quoted Timika district military commander Lt. Col. Djamaludin as saying on Tuesday that another three helicopter loads of troops had been dispatched to Ilaga.
Djamaludin said the primary objective for security forces now was to recapture the airport.
He claimed there had been no armed resistance since Monday and that soldiers had been ordered to try and take the airport by peaceful persuasion.
"We're trying to be persuasive and avoid armed conflict. But if they ignore our pleas, other alternatives will be taken," Djamaludin said without elaborating.
Antara claims that the rebel forces are believed to be led by Titus Murib. While their total number of forces, including "sympathizers", may reach 500 they are said to possess less than half a dozen guns.