Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – The Indonesian Military (TNI) has deployed two platoons as reinforcements to the police to hunt down armed assailants blamed for a recent series of attacks in the area.
Last week, an exchange of fire with unidentified gunmen on Utikini Bridge in Tembagapura resulted in the death of Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officer First. Brig. Berry Pramana Putra.
"Soldiers have been deployed to help the police. We want the perpetrators arrested," Cendrawasih Military Commander Maj. Gen. George Elnadus Supit said on Monday.
He said the assailant group consisted of 30 to 50 people, with half of them believed to be armed. He said the group often used civilians as "human shields."
"They also fraternize with residents. So, be patient, we need time. We don't want to be reckless. We don't want innocent people to become victims," George said.
Meanwhile, Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar led a joint briefing in Timika, Mimika, Papua, on Monday, to launch a joint operation to hunt down the unidentified assailants.
"This operation is a state duty to safeguard the NKRI [Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia]. The operation focuses on tackling security disturbances that have seen victims from officers to civilians and mining workers in Tembagapura," Boy said.
"I hope this operation can be carried out with prudence, awareness, intelligence and respect for human rights," he added. (bbs)