“Five TNI Soldiers Still Missing after Shootout with KKB in Papua: Chief of General Staff”

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Chief of the General Staff TNI Lieutenant General Bambang Ismawan said there were still 5 soldiers missing after the shootout with the Armed Criminal Group or KKB in Nduga, Papua on Saturday, April 15 2023. Bambang said the five people were still being sought. “Until this afternoon, a search was still being carried out,” said Bambang at Monas, Jakarta, Monday, April 17, 2023.

The five people were members of the TNI task force from Raider Infantry Battalion 321/Galuh Taruna. They were attacked by the KKB while in the Mugi-Mam District, Nduga, Highlands Papua. The TNI stated that the task force was part of a team that was searching for Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Merthens. Philip has been held hostage by the KKB since February 2023.

As a result of the attack, a soldier named Pratu Miftahul Arifin died. He died from being shot and then fell into a ravine. The TNI is still trying to evacuate Arifin’s body from the location, but is hampered by the weather.

Meanwhile, Bambang said there were 4 other personnel who had also been declared missing. However, he said, they had returned to the guard post. “So only the last five people are being sought,” said Bambang.

Bambang’s statement at the same time denied the claims of the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM). OPM claims to have shot dead 9 TNI soldiers, and seized 9 of their weapons.

Bambang said the statement from OPM was not true. He said he had confirmed with personnel on the ground and found that only one soldier had died. Four others have returned and five others are still being sought. He denied that the KKB had seized his personnel’s weapons. “All weapons are back,” he said.

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