Mahfud Reveals Series Of Armed Contact In Papua, A Total Of 8 KKB Terrorists Killed

Menkopolhukam Mahfud MD (Photo: Documentation of Kemenko Polhukam Public Relations)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menkopolhukam) Mahfud MD explained that there were a number of armed clashes between the authorities and the armed criminal group (KKB) after the government designated the KKB as a terrorist.

"Since the government's designation as a terrorist group on April 29, there have indeed been several armed clashes to date," Mahfud said in a press conference at his office, Wednesday, May 19.

Post-declared terrorist gunfire began on April 27. One Brimob soldier was killed, two others were injured, but five terrorists were killed. Then, on May 13, there was another gun battle in Ilaga Puncak Regency which killed one KKB member.

Subsequently, on May 16, there was gunfire in Ilaga, Puncak Regency. Two terrorist members were killed and one person fled injured (Total 8 KKB terrorists were killed).

Most recently, on May 18 there was an attack on two TNI soldiers who were carrying out secure security in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, which resulted in the death of two TNI soldiers.

"Still on the 18th yesterday, gunfire in Serambakon District, Bintang Mountains District caused four soldiers to be injured," said Mahfud.

Seeing the situation of gunfire that continued until last night, Mahfud asked the TNI, Polri and local governments to take quick, decisive and measured actions.

The pursuit of a handful of people who the KKB said were terrorists, said Mahfud, continued to be carried out carefully and focused, so as not to cause casualties from civilians.

"Thus, after being designated by the KKB as a terrorist group, the security forces are trying and quite successfully to separate civilians from terrorists," Mahfud explained.

The attack on two TNI soldiers that took place just yesterday shows that the terrorist group is still committing acts of violence. For this reason, Mahfud promised to wipe out the terror group.

"Right now the government is continuing to try to get rid of this terrorist group. To finish off the acts of violence committed by terrorist groups, both in Papua, and the East Indonesia Mujahidin terrorists, who were also several or two, three days ago, they reappeared," he concluded. .