Ryan Dwiky Anggriawan, Jakarta – The Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) commander, Maj. Gen. I Nyoman Cantasia, commented on the recent attacks by a civilian armed group (KKSB) in Papua. He said the group mainly comprised young criminals seeking attention.

"If similar cases happen, they are just a small part [of the group]. They are merely seeking attention after the deaths of their leaders," I Nyoman told journalists after he was handed the position as Kopassus Commander General today.

I Nyoman said he was familiar with the actual situation in Papua. "I know how things happen there. The situation in Papua is actually conducive, but the social media made it sound big," he said.

He explained that residents living in Papua's northern regions such as Jayapura, Merauke, and Timika, are highly nationalists – contrary to those in the mountains and central areas that have yet to be touched by civilization. He also noted that these areas lack the presence of the military, the police, and security personnel.

On Monday, January 28, two members of the 751 Infantry Battalion were attacked by several people shortly after a plane took off from the Mapenduma airstrip. This incident sparked a shootout between military members and the Papua armed group that left one soldier killed and another injured.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1171344/kopassus-papua-armed-group-comprise-youths-seeking-attention