Kasatgas: 2 Students Arrested Returned Because Not Proven Involved In KKB

Head of the Cartenz Peace Task Force Kombes Faizal Rahmadani. (ANTARA/HO/Cartenz Peace Task Force)

JAYAPURA - Head of the Cartenz Peace Task Force Kombes Faizal Rahmadani said two students who were arrested shortly after a gun battle in Kali Brasa, Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Mountains, have now been released.

"It's true, both of them have been released because they have not been proven to be members of the KKB (armed criminal group)," said Faizal Rahmadani as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, February 26.

Even though he has been released, Faizal emphasized, if later there is new evidence regarding the involvement of the two students in the KKB, his party will again conduct an examination of the person concerned.

The two students with the initials MH and BG were arrested by the authorities shortly after a shootout between the KKB and the security forces in Kali Brasa, Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Thursday, February 22, 2024.

In addition to the two students, the security forces also arrested one KKB member who was killed in the shootout, namely Otniel Giban alias Bolong Giban who was a member of the Ndugama KKB and was active in the Wosak Battalion led by Yotam Bugiangge.

"Otniel Giban was involved in a series of shootings and murders in Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, and also in Kenyam, Nduga Regency," said Kombes Faizal.

Earlier, on Saturday, February 17, the KKB shot a Wings Air plane that was about to land at Nopjad Dekai Airport, Yahukimo Regency.

In that incident, one passenger on behalf of Pratu Ongen who is a member of the Military District Command (Kodim) 1715 / Yahukimo was reportedly caught in the flakes until his neck suffered abrasions.