OPM Serang And Shoot TNI In Bibida, Central Papua

JAYAPURA - Head of Information for Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih Lieutenant Colonel Inf Chandra Kurniawan said members of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) attacked and opened fire on soldiers of the Battalion 527/BY Task Force who were patrolling around Bibida Village, Bibida District, Paniai Regency, Central Papua.

The attack on 527/BY Yonif soldiers who were on patrol took place on Wednesday (1/5), but no soldiers were injured.

"As after OPM members carried out the attack, soldiers pursued and arrested a civilian who was in the bushes," said Kapendam XVII/Cenderawasih Lt. Col. Inf Chandra Kurniawan in his statement in Jayapura, Papua, quoted by ANTARA Thursday, May 2.

He explained that the attack incident began when a regional patrol car carrying 527/BY Yonif Task Force soldiers passed at the T-junction of Bibida village, suddenly fired at OPM members and then a shootout occurred.

The patrol was carried out to provide a sense of security and protect the public from security disturbances carried out by the OPM.

Regarding a civilian who was arrested, Chandra said that he had been handed over to the Paniai Police for further processing.

"It is true that the civilians who were detained by soldiers in Bibida village have been handed over to the Paniai Police," explained Kapendam.

Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih oversees three Korem and 17 Kodim spread across four provinces, namely Papua, Papua Mountains, Central Papua, and South Papua.

Paniai Regency in Central Papua Province, is included in the Kodim 1703/Paniai and Korem 173/PVB areas.