The RI-RDTL Pamtas Task Force Confiscates Dozens Of Assembled Weapons

Commander of Korem 161/Wirasakti Kupang Brigadier General Febriel Buyung Sikumbang (ANTARA/HO-Penrem 161/Wira Sakti Kupang)

A total of 36 homemade weapons belonging to the community on the Indonesia-Timor Leste border have been confiscated by the Indonesian Pamtas-RDTL task force which has served in the East sector and the West RI-RDTL Border sector for the past year.

Commander of Korem 161/Wirasakti Kupang Brigadier General Febriel Buyung Sikumbang said a number of homemade weapons had been handed over to Korem 161/Wirasakti Kupang to be destroyed.

"So the Indonesian Pamtas Task Force RDTL Yonkav 10/Mendagiri in the West Sector have 16 weapons obtained, while from Yonif 744/SYB 20 at the top," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, October 3.

He said a number of the weapons were handed over by residents to the Pamtas Task Force tasked with guarding the RI-RDTL border area.

Brigadier General Febriel explained that the personnel of the RI-RDTL Pamtas Task Force in addition to carrying out their main task of guarding borders from various crimes, there are also other tasks in the form of territorial operations.

"A number of homemade weapons were handed over directly thanks to the communication and persuasive approach of our troops, so residents have the awareness to submit them," he said.

The weapons he gave also said were homemade weapons from the conflict between pro-independence and pro-integration when Timor Leste was released from Indonesia.

Brigadier General Febriel also appreciated the performance of the two RI RDTL Pamtas task forces who had served for one year in border areas to maintain state sovereignty.

This is because the two task forces have succeeded in thwarting the smuggling of a number of liters of fuel oil (BBM), basic necessities and two- and four-wheeled vehicles that were brought into Timor Leste.

A number of items of evidence, such as fuel, basic necessities, and vehicles, he said, were handed over to the Customs and Excise for further action.