Yahukimo Military District Commander and Three Victims Evacuated

Four members of the Army who were shot by an armed criminal group (KKB) on Thursday (2/3/2023) in Yahukimo, Papua Highlands, have been transported to a hospital in Jayapura.

KOMPAS/FABIO MARIA LOPES COSTA

A convoy of ambulances carrying the Commander of Military District Command 1715/Yahukimo and three soldiers who were victims of an attack by an armed criminal group to the TNI Marthen Indey Hospital in Jayapura, Papua, Thursday (2/3/2023).

JAYAPURA, KOMPAS — The Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) has airlifted Yahukimo 1715 Military District (Kodim) commander Lt. Col. (Inf.) Johanis Victorianus Tethool and three other soldiers who were shot during an attack in Yahukimo by an armed criminal group to a hospital in Jayapura, Papua, on Thursday (2/3/2023). Investigators from the Yahukimo Police immediately gathered evidence from the scene to investigate the shooting.

Private First Class (PFC) Lukas Warobai was shot in the left side of his chest, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Robi Sohoka Tolt in the right thigh, and PFC Nikodemus Sudumeru in the right hip. Johanis sustained injuries to his left leg and the fingers on his left hand.

From Kompas’ observations at Silas Papare Air Base in Sentani, Jayapura regency, the plane carrying the four victims arrived in Jayapura at 12:30 p.m. local time. Members of the media were prohibited from photographing the four victims at the air base.

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An ambulance then transported the victims to Marthen Indey Indonesian Military (TNI) Hospital in Jayapura 15 minutes after the plane landed, and arrived at the hospital at 1:29 p.m.

Cenderawasih Military Region (Kodam) XVII commander Maj. Gen. Muhammad Saleh Mustafa confirmed that all victims had been evacuated to Jayapura on Thursday, but was unable to provide further information regarding the shooting.

A KKB attacked eight soldiers who were out patrolling Jl. Paradiso in Dekai district, the capital of Yahukimo regency in Papua Highalands province, at 3:30 p.m. The Yahukimo Kodim commander was shot while monitoring security at the location where the soldiers were attacked.

The TKP is seeking and gathering information, clues, evidence and witnesses, as well as victims.

Papua Police public relations head Comr. Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo said the Yahukimo Police had conducted a crime scene investigation (TKP) at the site of the shooting.

The police found several pieces of evidence, including a number of arrows, sharp weapons, bullet casings, two motorcycles. "The TKP is seeking and gathering information, clues, evidence and witnesses, as well as victims," said Ignatius.

KOMPAS

Yahukimo Resort Police, Thursday (02/03), investigated the crime scene in the shooting of members of the TNI Kodim 1715/Yahukimo by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB). While processing the crime scene the situation is under control.

Intensive patrol

He added that Yahukimo Police officers were coordinating with Yahukimo Kodim 1715 to stop acts of terror by KKBs in Dekai. Patrols were continuing across the region.

"At present, the Yahukimo Police are on guard to anticipate action by the KKB after the shooting of the Yahukimo Kodim 1715 commander and the three soldiers. Efforts to safeguard Dekai by the National Police and the TNI continue to be intensified," said Ignatius.

Yahukimo Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Arief Kristanto said the current security situation in Dekai district was relatively conducive after the KKB shooting incident. He emphasized that the Yahukimo Police continued to increase its patrols in Dekai districtregion.

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Papua Peace Network (JDP) spokesman Yan Christian Warinussy expressed deep regret over the death of a TNI soldier in Yahukimo. He deplored the violence by the National Liberation Army of the Free Papua Organization (TPN-OPM), which the state had declared as a KKB.

He said the JDP continued to call for the state, along with the TNI and the National Police, to prioritize peacebuilding in Papua. One way was through joint dialogue between the two conflicting parties.

Hoax

Papua and the three new provinces resulting from the government’s recent policy continued to experience widespread fake news and hoaxes. Papua Police special crime investigation director Comr. Fernando Sanches Napitupulu revealed that the hoaxes were being spread by individuals based in a number of regions.

Meanwhile, a group of local residents attacked four truck drivers as they were passing the Trans Papua highway on Tuesday evening (28/2/2023) in Benawa district, Yalimo regency, Papua Highlands, spurred by fake news about an abducted child.

Police had rescued three drivers, while the fourth was still missing as of Wednesday evening.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.