TNI retakes Ilaga, forces rebels to flee
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.