KKB Strikes Again, Shoots 1 TNI Member While Shopping In Mamba Village, Intan Jaya

Commander of the Cenderawasih XVII Military Command, Maj. Gen. Ignatius Yogo Triyono (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Commander of the Cenderawasih XVII Military Command, Maj. Gen. Ignatius Yogo Triyono, confirmed that one of its members was shot by an armed criminal group (KKB) in Mamba village, Intan Jaya Regency.

The victim was Praka Hendra Sipayung who was part of the territorial apparatus task force (Satgas Apter). Currently, said Ignatius Yogo, the victim has been treated at the Bilogai Health Center.

"It is true that the victim was shot in Mamba village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Friday at around 15:15 WIT," he said when contacted by Antara, Friday, February 12.

On Saturday, February 13, tomorrow the plan is for the victims to be evacuated to Timika. According to Pangdam Ignatius, the evacuation should have been carried out today but was blocked by bad weather.

Regarding the chronology of the incident, Pangdam Ignatius could not speak much because he was hampered by network problems with Intan Jaya.

Separately, Danrem 173 PVB Brigadier General Iwan Setiawan explained that when the incident happened, the victim and his colleague were shopping at a kiosk or small shop located in front of the Sugapa Preparation Military Command. Suddenly two civilians riding motorbikes came.

When approaching the stall, the perpetrator immediately took out a firearm and shot the members. The type of firearm used is a short barrel.

After shooting, continued Iwan, the two of them immediately fled in the opposite direction. "Members chased the perpetrators but were unable to catch them," said Brigadier General Iwan, who is currently in Serui accompanying the work visit of the Cenderawasih XVII Military Commander.

Praka Hendra Sipayung comes from Kodam Jaya. Data compiled during 2020, KKB recorded 23 cases of shootings, assault, and seizure of firearms which killed 10 civilians and three soldiers.