Shootout With KKB In Kiwirok Papua, A TNI Soldier Dies

DOK/Private Two Beryl Kholif Al Rohman. He was a member of the 431st Raiders Battalion/SSP who died in a shootout with armed groups in Kiwirok, Bintang Mountains Regency, Papua, Wednesday evening (29/6). ANTARA/HO-personal documents

JAYAPURA - A shootout between KKB and members of the 431st Raider Infantry Battalion/SSP in Kiwirok, Bintang Mountains Regency, Papua, resulted in the death of a soldier.

"There are indeed reports regarding the death of a member of the PR 431/SSP Infantry Battalion, namely Private Second Beryl Kholif Al Rohman, in Kiwirok", said Commander of Military Resort Command 172/PWY, Brigadier General Jo Sihombing, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, June 29.

Armed contact between TNI personnel and Papuan armed groups has often occurred, including on March 26, 2022. At that time armed groups attacked the Quari Bawah Fisheries Marine Post, Kenyam District, Nduga, so that the first officer of the Indonesian Navy-Marine Corps, Marine Second Lieutenant Mohamad Iqbal, died. The other nine members were seriously and lightly injured.

Towards the end of 2021, the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, General TNI Andika Perkasa, stated to the press that he would evaluate various matters regarding TNI activities in many areas of the country. He was inaugurated as TNI commander replacing TNI Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, on November 17, 2021.

The Commander in Chief expressed his desire for the TNI to treat Papua like any other province in Indonesia.

"I will evaluate, make changes in how we operate, not only in Papua but also throughout the territory of the Republic of Indonesia", he said at a press conference at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, June 11, 2021.

However, shootouts between soldiers and armed groups also occurred, including in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya, shooting at the Sugapa Police Station, Intan Jaya, and shootings in Yahukimo District.