David Wilson, Timor Tengah Utara, East Nusa Tenggara – A tense standoff erupted at the Indonesia-Timor-Leste border on Monday morning in Inbate village, Bikomi Nilulat district, North Timor Tengah (TTU) regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), leaving one Indonesian resident injured, authorities said.

Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots during the confrontation. Balthasar Tpoi, a local resident, told reporters he heard seven rounds fired, allegedly from long-barreled firearms used by Timor Leste's police force, the Unidade de Policia da Frente (UPF).

"We protested because they were attempting to install boundary markers on land belonging to Inbate villagers. Suddenly, I heard seven gunshots, and one bullet hit our neighbor, Paulus Oki," Balthasar said.

More than 20 villagers confronted Timor-Leste residents, accompanied by armed UPF officers. Locals claim the border markers were being installed unilaterally in areas they consider Indonesian territory.

Following the shots, villagers threw objects at the UPF personnel, forcing them to retreat. Indonesian security forces, including the Indonesian Military (TNI) and police, quickly arrived to secure the area. Shell casings of 5.56 mm caliber, believed to have come from UPF firearms, were recovered at the scene.

Reindi Trisetyo Nugroho, commander of Indonesia's border security task force (Satgas Pamtas) in the Oecusse sector, confirmed that there were no fatalities and that the injured resident sustained only minor wounds. He said a joint investigation involving the task force, police, and TNI is ongoing to determine the source of the gunfire.

"The key priority now is to calm the community and prevent any counterproductive actions," Reindi said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining local stability.

The incident reportedly stems from the ongoing installation of 100 official border pillars, a program agreed upon by Indonesia and Timor-Leste. In accordance with the bilateral agreement, the construction responsibilities rotate between the two nations, and Monday marked Timor-Leste's turn.

"While some local residents, particularly in Inbate, oppose the construction, this is part of a formal border agreement between our countries," Reindi added.

Authorities said a full report will be submitted to higher command for further instructions, aiming to prevent the situation from escalating further.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/timorlesteindonesia-border-clash-in-ntt-leaves-one-resident-injure