TNI PMPP Commander Awaits UNIFIL Investigation regarding the Death of 3 Soldiers in Lebanon

The Commander of the TNI PMPP, Major General TNI Iwan Bambang Setiawan, talks to Iskandarudin, a TNI soldier who died in Lebanon, Captain Inf Zulmi Aditya Iskandar/ANTARA/Ricky Prayoga)

JAKARTA - The TNI Headquarters through the Peacekeeping Mission Center (PMPP) is currently waiting for the results of the investigation from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to uncover the veil behind the death of three Indonesian peacekeepers in the South Lebanon region.

The commander of the PMPPTNI, Major General TNI Iwan Bambang Setiawan, indicated that the main focus of the investigation now points to two strong suspected causes of death, namely the impact of artillery projectiles and active landmines found in the conflict zone.

Iwan emphasized that the final results of the investigation were entirely in the hands of UNIFIL as the holder of the mandate of the peace mission in Lebanon. This process is crucial to determine accountability behind the deaths of Indonesian "peacekeepers".

"The investigation is still ongoing and to my knowledge, the results of the investigation have not been released," said Iwan after visiting the residence of one of the fallen victims in Lebanon, Infantry Captain Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, April 1.

However, Iwan revealed that based on field monitoring, the first incident that claimed the lives of soldiers was suspected to have come from the impact of artillery projectiles. However, it is not yet certain which party fired the projectile in the midst of the escalation on the Lebanon-Israel border.

"We can't confirm whether it was from the Israeli side or from the Hezbollah side," said Iwan.

For the second incident, Iwan received a report that the deadly incident was allegedly triggered by a static weapon underground. During the evacuation process, the team on the ground found the presence of a landmine that was still in an active status.

Iwan revealed that there was a high probability that the soldiers stepped on the mine while carrying out their duties in the sensitive area of South Lebanon.

However, similar to the first incident, the origin of the mine planting is still a big mystery that must be solved through an international military forensic process.

"It has not been determined whether the mines that exploded in southern Lebanon were planted by Hezbollah or the Israeli military," he said.

Iwan said that while waiting for the results of the official investigation, the TNI continued to coordinate with the Lebanese government to complete the administrative procedures for the return of the bodies of the peace heroes to the country.

It is reported that three TNI personnel on a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission were reported to have died while on duty in Lebanon in March 2026.

Based on TNI data, those who fell were Head Soldier Farizal Rhomadhon, Sergeant First Class Muhammad Nur Ichwan, and Captain (inf) Zulmi Aditya Iskandar.

Fahrizal died as a result of an indirect artillery attack near Adchit Al Qusayr, southern Lebanon, Sunday (29/3). Meanwhile, Nur Ichwan and Zulmi died due to vehicle explosions near Bani Haiyyan, Monday (30/3).