Call The Situation In Nduga Not Genting, KSAD: Our Troops Are Many There

Army Chief of Staff General TNI Dudung Abdurachman (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Muchlis Jr)

JAKARTA - Army Chief of Staff General TNI Dudung Abdurachman confirmed the situation in Paro District, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains, was conducive. However, residents do feel intimidated by the existence of the KKB.

"It's not like what we heard actually there. The atmosphere is the Regional Command there, the Kodim (Military District Command) and the Military Command (Military Rayon Command) are still conducive," said Dudung after the TNI AD Leadership Meeting for Fiscal Year 2023 at the Army Headquarters, Jakarta, Friday, February 10, as reported by Antara.

Dudung asked the public not to worry because many TNI troops were on guard there. But on the one hand, he admits that Paro people feel intimidated by the existence of the KKB.

"If I get a report from the Military Commander (Panglima Kodam) yes, indeed there are people who are intimidated, but our troops are already there and to create conduciveness there, and to protect the communities there," he said.

Dudung hopes that the TNI AD troops dispatched from Jakarta to Papua today can take anticipatory steps against acts of terror carried out by armed criminal groups (KKB).

"The only troops who will be sent later, is how to anticipate," he said.

He also hopes that his troops can immediately evacuate the Susi Air pilot who was the victim of the terror act of burning the plane at the Paro District Airport, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains on Tuesday (7/2).

"I think the sooner it will be better, yes. Hopefully this pilot will be found soon," said Dudung.

Previously, General Dudung Abdurachman admitted that he had dispatched troops to Papua to handle the terror acts of armed criminal groups (KKB) through Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta, Friday.

"Today I will go to Halim, I want to see the troops who will be dispatched to Papua, I will provide them with moral support," said Dudung.

He said the TNI AD troops who were dispatched to Papua were focused on handling the KKB in Paro District, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains, which has been the location of the KKB terror action in recent times.

Pangdam XVII Cenderawasih Major General TNI Muhammad Saleh Mustafa said TNI-Polri personnel evacuated 25 civilians due to intimidation of the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya.

He said the residents who were evacuated were children, women, and sick people while they were on their way to Kenyam on foot.

"Dozens of civilians were secured around Mount Wea not far from where 15 construction workers were evacuated, which was intimidated by the KKB," said the Military Commander, Friday.

Meanwhile, Danrem 172/PWY Brigadier General JO Sembiring said the people who left Paro were afraid and threatened by acts of terror by the KKB led by Egianus Kogoya.

"They have been in the forest for two days and on foot, so the Nduga Regent asked the TNI-Polri for help to save them as a form of humanity," said JO Sembiring.