Apriadi Gunawan, Medan – Dozens of Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers vandalized a police station and another police post on Sunday night in Labuhan Batu regency, North Sumatra, following the arrest of soldiers allegedly caught gambling.

In the incident, soldiers attacked the Labuhan Batu Police station and a police post at the Labuhan Batu police chief official residence.

Labuhan Batu Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Robert Kennedy sustained slight wounds after being beatened by soldiers when he discovered perpetrators attacking the police post.

By Monday afternoon, the situation had resumed to normal. The TNI and top police officials have met and instructed their men not to be provoked by the incident.

North Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Oegroseno said police had coordinated with TNI leaders and the military police to resolve the issue, adding everyone involved in the incident would be prosecuted.

"We have detained four civilians and two TNI soldiers who were involved in gambling and instigated the issue. We are still searching for those who attacked the police post," Oegroseno said after holding a meeting with North Sumatra council members in Medan on Monday.

The incidents took place at 9:45 p.m., allegedly following the arrest of four civilians and two soldiers for gambling. A number of soldiers were enraged after learning about the arrest of their colleagues and went to the Labuhan Batu Police station.

There, the plain-clothed soldiers rode their motorbikes to the Labuhan Batu Police chief's residence 50 meters away.

Bukit Barisan Military Command chief Maj. Gen. M. Noer Muis and a number of high-ranking TNI officers inspected the incident site and commenced investigations Monday.

The military command's spokesman, Col. Asren Nasution, said Muis' visit aimed to gather facts on the incident, adding that the TNI would thoroughly investigate the case.

"A clash between soldiers and police members is a gross violation. The military commander has instructed the military police commander to prioritize the case in line with the law," Asren told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

When asked how many TNI soldiers were involved in the attack, Asren said the TNI did not yet have the data since the case was still being investigated but denied it was related to the arrest of gambling soldiers, saying it was simply a case of misunderstanding.

"Some TNI members had tossed rocks at a police post and matters got out of control," said Asren, adding the TNI would not protect soldiers involved in the incident.