Contact With KKB In Nduga, Kapuspen Calls Only One TNI Member Died Not Six

Head of Information Center (Kapuspen) TNI Rear Admiral (Laksda) Julius Widjojono (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Head of the Information Center (Kapuspen) of the TNI Rear Admiral (Laksda) Julius Widjojono said that only one Yonif 321/GT soldier died during an incident of gunfire with an armed criminal group (KKB) in Mugi District, Nduga Regency, Papua Mountains. "Until 14.03 WIB, I received only one person physically. Only one person on behalf of Pratu Arifin (Pratu Miftahul Arifin). We have not received any information because of the difficulty of reaching the location due to uncertain weather," said Julius in a press conference at the TNI Headquarters Journalists Center, Cilangkap, quoted by ANTARA, Sunday 16 April. He said Pratu Arifin, Pratu Miftahul Arifin's nickname, died on Saturday, April 15 at 16.30 WIT.Julius explained that Pratu Arifin initially together with the Yonif R 321/GT Task Force group who served in Mugi were trying to comb through the area to get close to the position of Pilot Susi Air Phillip Mehrtens who was held hostage by an armed criminal group (KKKB). However later, there was an attack from KKB that caused Pratu Arifin to fall into a ravine of a depth of 15 meters. "When trying to help, but get a re-attack. Other conditions are still in the deepening stage," he continued. Regarding the incident, Julius appealed to all parties to receive official information from the TNI Puspen, including not directly believing in information regarding the presence of six TNI soldiers who died in the incident in Nduga.

"Once again, I beg you to take information from us so that we are not confused," he said. July asked for the support of all parties related to the success of the operation to save the Susi Air Pilot who was being held hostage. He asked for prayers from the community so that the late Pratu Arifin was accepted by God Almighty. "We pray that the deceased can be accepted by Him," he said.