Papuan Police Chief: Officials Will Not Be Provoked By KKB's Provocation

Papuan Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D Fakhiri. ANTARA/Evarianus Supar

TIMIKA - Papuan Police Chief, Inspector General Mathius D Fakhiri, stressed that the TNI (Army) and Police officers would not be provoked by various provocations carried out by armed criminal groups (KKB) in the Aminggaru Ilaga Airport area, Puncak Regency.

The Papuan Police Chief admitted that this morning there was an incident of security disturbances by armed groups in the Aminggaru Ilaga Airport area. The attack resulted in Private Hermansyah, a member of the Indonesian Air Force Kopasgat being shot in the right and left shoulders.

"This morning there was a disturbance. During Operasi Damai Cartenz, we always try to be patient, because being patient in giving love will certainly bring about peace", said Inspector General Fakhiri as quoted by Antara on Saturday, February 19.

The Papuan Police Chief emphasized that all members of the TNI-Police currently present in Papua carry a mission to create peace.

Therefore, he said, when an incident of disturbance by armed groups occurs, members of the TNI and Police are no longer in a position to respond further to any disturbances that occur. This, he said, was not to show that the TNI and Police were afraid of armed groups.

"I emphasize that the TNI-Police are not afraid to face them. We will certainly be firm and measured if they dare to come to our place", said Inspector General Fakhiri.

The Kapolda hopes that the ranks of the Regional Government who have been entrusted with being at the forefront in resolving conflicts and violence in the Land of Papua can play a massive role in getting closer to the community.

"This is so that people who are still on opposite sides can be invited to cooperate to return to their villages, store weapons, and rebuild their villages so that there can be peace in Ilaga. Of course, this requires a lot of sacrifices", he said.

Until now the Papuan Police Chief continues to monitor the development of the security and security situation in the Puncak Regency area, especially around Ilaga City, more specifically in the Aminggaru Airport area.

If the security escalation in the area gets bigger, the Papuan Police Chief as the Commander of the Operasi Damai Cartenz will immediately send security reinforcements to assist the Puncak Police in taking law enforcement steps against the perpetrators of security disturbances, namely armed civilian gangs.

Chief Private Hermansyah, a member of the Indonesian Air Force of Rapid Action Squad Command, suffered a gunshot wound on Saturday morning at around 07.35 WIT while guarding Aminggaru Ilaga Airport.

The commander of Korem 173/PVB, Brigadier General Taufan Gestoro, said the victim had received medical treatment at the Ilaga Health Center and was waiting for a helicopter to be evacuated to Mimika Hospital in Timika.

The shooter is thought to have come from a forest area located at the end of the Aminggaru Airport.

Previously, on January 27, three TNI AD soldiers were killed in a shootout with an armed group in Gome District, Puncak Regency.