Volunteer, Residents Hand Over 23 Guns To The RI-Timor Leste Pamtas Task Force

Border Security Task Force (Satgas Pamtas) RI-Timor Leste/ Antara

JAKARTA - The RI-Timor Leste Border Security Task Force (Satgas Pamtas) received 23 firearms from residents in three regions, namely North Central Timor, Kupang and Belu Regencies, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

"In addition to firearms, the RI-Timor Leste Pamtas Task Force has also received hundreds of rounds of ammunition that have been stored by residents," said Information Officer of the Yonarmeda 6/3 Task Force Kostrad Lt. Arm Panji Putra Bima Bagaskara in Kupang, reported Tuesday, June 7.

"Since serving in March to early June 2021, we have received the handover of dozens of firearms and ammunition and grenades from residents. All these weapons and ammunition are still stored at the Command Headquarters," said Bagaskara.

He detailed that the weapons consisted of 14 mashed rifles, nine homemade pistols, 303 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, one 5.56 mm ammunition, 51 9 mm ammunition, one Mangosteen grenade and one grain. GSP 40mm.

According to him, the handing over of weapons by the residents was because the residents began to feel close to the TNI soldiers who served in the field.

"Usually, the personnel assist residents in activities such as cleaning up, helping build houses/churches. Then the community expresses their gratitude by handing over their weapons," he explained.

It's just that not all residents are willing to hand over their weapons to TNI personnel. "So only residents who feel they are very close to TNI personnel are willing to give up their weapons," he said.

In this connection, all TNI personnel continue to try to get closer to the residents by providing the assistance they need.

With the involvement of personnel in social activities in the community, it is hoped that residents will feel close to TNI personnel and are willing to give up their weapons, said Panji Putra Bima Bagaskara.