TNI Is Ready To Arrest All Members Of Armed Groups In Papua

Documentation of residents' houses set on fire by armed groups, in Beoga, Puncak Regency, Papua. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The head of the TNI Information Center, Major General TNI Achmad Riad, emphasized that the TNI is ready to assist the police in arresting all members of criminal groups in Papua.

As reported by Antara, Tuesday, April 26, he responded to President Joko Widodo's statement ordering the TNI Commander, Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, and Indonesian Police Chief, Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, to chase and arrest all members of criminal groups in Papua.

"We are ready to arrest all members of the KKB. We are waiting for President Jokowi's next political decision," he said.

During this time, he continued, the Indonesian military and police had worked well together to arrest members of armed groups in Papua who often shot state officials and even citizens. to the point of losing their lives in a cruel way.

Regarding the possibility of a large-scale operation in Papua to arrest all members of armed groups, said Riad, the TNI was still waiting for the next political decision from the government.

Previously, Jokowi ordered Tjahjanto and Sigit to arrest all members of the armed group after the attack that killed the Head of BIN for Papua Region, Brigadier. TNI General I Gusti Putu Danny, Sunday, April 25, in Beoga, Puncak Regency, Papua.

This is the victim of an attack by an armed group with the highest rank ever, namely TNI brigadier general.

Jokowi during a press conference at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday, emphasized that there is no place for criminal groups in the Indonesian territory, including Papua.

"I emphasize that there is no place for armed criminal groups in Papua or in all corners of the country," he said.

He expressed his deep condolences and raise the rank one level higher to Brigadier General TNI I Gusti Putu Danny for devotion, dedication, and sacrifice that have been done.

"In the name of the nation, the people, and the country I send my deep condolences to the families and those left behind," he said.

Danny on Sunday, April 25, was caught in a firefight with an armed group. when the BIN Task Force and the TNI/Polri Task Force, on their way to Dambet Village, Beoga District, Puncak Regency, Papua, Sunday, April 25.

Putu Danny is known to have stepped directly into the field because he wanted to observe the field to speed up the restoration of security there.

"At around 15:50 western Indonesia time, the BIN Task Force and the Indonesian Military/Police Task Force were intercepted by a Papuan separatist and terrorist group (KST), resulting in a shooting action around the village church of Dambet. As a result of this firefight, Head of Regional State Intelligence Agency (Kabinda) of Papua was shot and died as a hero at the scene," said Deputy VII of the State Intelligence Agency, Wawan Hari Purwanto, on Monday, April 26.

Danny's body was evacuated from the scene and taken to Timika to be flown to Jakarta to then be buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, Jakarta, Tuesday (27/4).