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OPM attacks military post in Papua's Intan Jaya with stolen firearms

Source
Tempo - July 17, 2023

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Free Papua Movement (OPM) on Sunday, July 16, besieged the Homeyo Police Post and Military Command Post (Koramil) in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua, by using stolen firearms.

Papua Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo said the attack occurred at 07:00 Eastern Indonesian Time (WIT) during a gathering of police and military personnel with religious figures and the community to trace the missing firearms allegedly stolen by the separatist group.

"During the meeting, a series of gunshots suddenly fired towards the police and military command post, so our police and military personnel took the stand and returned fire," Benny said in a statement, Monday, July 17.

Benny said the shooting occurred for approximately two hours. After the shooting, the armed criminal group (KKB) allegedly moved to Kampung Bilai. "There were no casualties both from the military and police (TNI-Polri) personnel and the KKB," he added.

On Saturday, July 15, a long-barreled firearm belonging to a Homeyo Police officer was reportedly stolen allegedly by the separatist group. Benny said Central Papua Police were conducting an investigation into the missing firearm.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) of the Free Papua Organization (OPM), Sebby Sambom, confirmed Undius Kogeya and his troops committed the seizure of the weapon; an SS1-type firearm along with a magazine containing 25 rounds of ammunition belonging to the Homeyo Police.

"Undius Kogeya has succeeded in killing an Indonesian intelligence member who disguised as a Kiosk guard in Intan Jaya Regency, Papua, on Saturday, July 15, 2023," Sambom announced in a text message.

Sambom said OPM had known the disguise of the police member for a long time and eventually executed the latter on July 15 at 12 a.m. local time using sharp weapons.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1748956/opm-attacks-military-post-in-papuas-intan-jaya-with-stolen-firearm

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