Jayapura, Jubi – Another armed conflict between the Indonesian Military (TNI) and West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) occurred in Intan Jaya Regency in Papua, this time killing an Indonesian soldier.

The armed altercation was the second reported incident since Feb. 12, when an armed civilian shot and injured a TNI soldier.

Antara, the government's official news agency, reported on Monday, Feb. 15, that Second Pvt. Ginanjar died during an armed altercation in Kampung Mamba, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya. The attack happened when Cenderawasih Military Command chief, Maj. Gen. Ignatius Yogo Triyono visited Sugapa, the administrative center of Intan Jaya. The chief was accompanied by Military Resort 173 Commander Brig. Gen. Iwan Setiawan.

TPNPB's spokesperson, Sebby Sambom, said TPNPB's Defensive Territorial Command (Kodap) VIII took responsibility for the attack in Kampung Mamba. "The attack was led directly by the troop commander, O. Kogeya," said Sambom in a release made available on Monday.

Sambom said the armed altercation between TPNPB and TNI and the National Police personnel in Kampung Mamba began on Monday at 8 am local time. "In the armed altercation, TPNPB shot dead an Indonesian military member, Second Pvt. Ginanjar, from Yonif Raider 400," Sambon said.

As the release was distributed, Sambom said, he still received a report that the altercation was still happening. He vowed that TPNPB "would not stop" attacking TNI and the police until Indonesian government "opened the door for negotiation". "Indonesian government has to open to discussion on the same table with TPNPB leaders and all elements of the Papuan struggle to find a solution," said Sambom.

According to the Antara report, Ginanjar was a TNI member sent to Papua from Diponegoro Military Command in Central Java. His body was sent to Mimika Regency, Antara reported. Antara had tried to confirm the information to the TNI, but as of the publication of the news in Antara, on Monday evening, TNI had yet to give any confirmation.

Earlier on Friday, Feb. 12, an armed civilian shot an Indonesian soldier, injuring him on his side temple. CNN Indonesia quoted chief Brig. Gen. Iwan Setiawan who said that the soldier, Chief Pvt. Hendra Sipayung, was shot when he was buying something at a stall in Kampung Mamba in Sugapa District.

Source: https://en.jubi.co.id/armed-conflict-intan-jaya-killing-ginanjar