TNI Soldiers Fall in Lebanon Peacekeeping Mission, Time to Withdraw?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Four soldiers from the Indonesian National Army (TNI), attached to the Garuda Contingent Task Force (Konga) TNI in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission, fell victim to an Israeli attack on southern Lebanon on Sunday (29/3/2026).

According to information from TNI Headquarters (Mabes), they were Corporal (Praka) Rico Pramudia, Praka Bayu Prakoso, Praka Farizal Rhomadhon, and Praka Arif Kurniawan.

“Praka Farizal Rhomadhon was declared fallen, Praka Rico Pramudia suffered severe injuries, while Praka Bayu Prakoso and Praka Arif Kurniawan sustained minor injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment,” said TNI Head of Information Centre (Kapuspen) Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah to Kompas.com on Monday (30/3/2026).

For medical treatment, the two soldiers with minor injuries are being cared for at UNIFIL Level I Hospital, a basic health facility of the UN forces.

Meanwhile, the soldier with severe injuries was evacuated by helicopter to St George Hospital in Beirut for further treatment.

The late Praka Farizal is being laid to rest at the East Sector Headquarters (HQ), and arrangements for his repatriation to Indonesia are being finalised with assistance from the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut.

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence stated that the TNI soldier who fell in the Israeli attack in Lebanon was in the midst of artillery exchanges between both sides.

“It should be noted that the incident occurred amid mutual artillery fire,” said the Head of Information at the Ministry of Defence Secretariat General, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, to Kompas.com on Monday (30/3/2026).

Not only the Ministry of Defence, but TNI Headquarters also reported that Praka Farizal was killed while both sides were launching attacks.

“The incident occurred amid mutual artillery fire, and to date, it has not been confirmed which party directly caused the event,” Aulia revealed.

“Indonesia strongly condemns this incident and calls for a thorough and transparent investigation,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated via its official X account @Kemlu_RI on Monday (30/3/2026).

The Foreign Ministry emphasised that the safety and security of UN peacekeepers must always be fully respected in accordance with international law.

According to them, any actions endangering peacekeepers are unacceptable and disrupt joint efforts to maintain peace and stability. Therefore, Indonesia strongly condemns this incident.