Departing 450 Soldiers To Papua, Kodam I Bukit Barisan: Stabilize Security Not For War

Kodam I Bukit Barisan dispatched as many as 450 soldiers to the Papua border, Thursday (13/2/2025). (ANTARA/Valery Siregar)

Regional Military Command (Kodam) I Bukit Barisan dispatched as many as 450 soldiers of the RI-Papua New Guinea Border Security Task Force for the Raider 100 Soldier Setia Infantry Battalion to guard the border area in Papua.

"The departure of this task force aims to maintain the stability of the security of the border area of the Republic of Indonesia in Papua," said the Commander of the Bukit Barisan Regional Military Command I Major General TNI Rio Firdianto in Medan, Thursday, February 13, as reported by Antara.

The Military Commander said the hundreds of personnel would serve in Papua with a normal time of nine to 12 months.

He said the main task of soldiers is to guard the border area together with the police in protecting the public from the threat of armed separatist groups in the area.

"Then carry out security at several vital objects during the assignment," said Rio.

In addition to securing border areas, the Pangdam has also conveyed to soldiers that victory is to win the hearts and minds of the people into one thought.

"Because the goal there is not to fight, but to stabilize security conditions. So, our brothers and sisters who do not understand, to be given an understanding that we are a family," he said.

So, the public understands that the Indonesian government is serious and also pays attention to the progress of Papua so that it can have accelerations like other provinces.

"Before leaving, soldiers were also provided with pre-service training when facing threats in a short time, pressed and others. However, maintaining territoriality is important from the assignment of a soldier," he said.

Kodam I Bukit Barisan dispatched as many as 450 soldiers of the RI-Papua New Guinea Limited Security Task Force for the Raider 100 Loyal Infantry Battalion by using the KRI Teluk Calang-524 Ship from Belawan Port, Medan.