TNI Soldiers Successfully Seized The Bibida District Area Which Has BEEN Controlled By OPM

The TNI continues to pursue the OPM group led by Undius Kogoya. (Doc. TNI)

PANIAI, PAPUA, A shootout occurred during the evacuation process of the body of the late Rusli who was killed and his vehicle was burned by the Free Papua Organization (OPM) on June 11, 2024.

The shootout between the Joint Security Apparatus (APKAM) and the OPM led by the Undius Kogoya group caused the OPM group to be repelled and fled to Bibida District which is adjacent to the East Paniai District area.

The Commander of the Joint Regional Defense Command (Pangkogabwilhan) III, Lt. Gen. Richard TH Tampubolon, in a written statement, Friday, June 14, 2024, stated that after the evacuation process for the body of the late Rusli was successfully carried out, the TNI continued its pursuit of the OPM group led by Undius Kogoya who was suspected of being the perpetrator of the shooting and arson.

"On Friday, June 14, 2024, TNI soldiers who chased the OPM group in Bibida have succeeded in seizing the Bibida District area which has been controlled by the OPM. The success of the Bibida area was also followed by the success of TNI soldiers in finding several munitions and rifle equipment belonging to OPM who were left behind due to their escape from the pursuit of TNI soldiers," said Pangkogabwilhan III.

"The success of TNI soldiers in seizing the Bibida District area which has been controlled by the OPM is an effort by the TNI to create a safe and conducive situation in the Papua region. Furthermore, the TNI will continue to pursue the OPM group that carried out the murder and burning of the community," he added after receiving a report on the results of the seizure of the Bibida District area.