Despite Weather Constraints, The Evacuation Of Pratu Miftahul's Body In A 15 Meter Deep Gorge Continues To Be Sought

TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono (two right) arrived in Papua, Monday (17/4/2023). (ANTARA/HO-TNI Information Center)

PAPUA - TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono conveyed that the evacuation of the body of Pratu Miftahul Arifin in Mugi-Man, Nduga, Papua, was still hampered by bad weather. The TNI continues to try to transport the soldiers' bodies from a 15 meter deep ravine. “We are trying to be evacuated, but until now it has not been successful due to the weather. We prioritize (evacuation) those who were injured. Today we can transport all of them,” Yudo said during a press conference at Yohanis Kapiyau Air Base, Timika, Papua, Antara, Tuesday, April 18. Pratu Miftahul Arifin, a soldier from the Infantry Battalion (Yonif) Raider 321/Galuh Taruna, died on Sunday, April 15 after being attacked by an armed criminal group (KKB) in Nduga, Papua. Pratu Arifin died while with troops combing the Mugi-Man area, Nduga, looking for the pilot Susi Air, Phillip Mehrtens, who has been held hostage by the KKB since February 2023. At the location of the search, the Commander said that 36 TNI soldiers were looking for the whereabouts of the Susi Air pilot. However, the troops were then intercepted and attacked by the KKB. "Yesterday, our troops received information on the whereabouts of the pilots there, where we hope there can be communication, coordination to be delivered, maybe there is no need for violence. Our hope is like that, but it turns out that it has not arrived at the same on the road and has been blocked, fired at, ” said Yudo. From the KKB and TNI shootout, one soldier died, and three soldiers were injured, one was injured because he fell. The Commander said the TNI had evacuated the injured soldiers, and they would be taken to the hospital for further treatment. On the same occasion, Admiral Yudo continued to convey that he had a direct conversation with the evacuated soldiers. From the results of the short conversation, the soldiers were in stable condition. “Alhamdulillah, all of them are healthy, they can still see me directly, say good afternoon Commander! means still conscious. Earlier I picked them up there with Pak Kasad (General TNI Dudung Abdurachman). There are also those who say Command! This means that they are still conscious. Thank God, hopefully they can recover healthy again, and recover from the wounds suffered,” said the TNI Commander. The TNI commander immediately flew to Timika, Papua, Monday, April 17 to check the situation in Papua after his soldiers were attacked by the KKB. In Papua, the Commander heard the explanation from his staff, namely Pangkogabwilhan III, Pangdam XVII/Cendrawasih, Commander of Koopsus TNI, Pangkoarmada III, and Danrem 173, and Danrem 174.

After directly checking the situation in Papua, meeting the evacuated soldiers, and evaluating the search and rescue operation for the Susi Air pilot, the Commander continued his trip to Surabaya, East Java, Tuesday.