TNI Commander: No Shooting in Maybrat West Papua, Purely One-sided Attack

TNI Commander General Andika Perkasa said there was no gunfight in the incident in Maybrat, West Papua, Thursday, January 20, 2022 morning. Four members of the TNI were injured and one soldier died as a result of the attack by the armed criminal group (KKB).

Andika emphasized that the incident was purely a one-sided attack on TNI soldiers.
 
"So yesterday's incident was not a shootout. It was purely a unilateral act of violence against our soldiers," said Andika, at the Supreme Court, Jakarta, Friday (21/1/2022).

According to him, the five soldiers were guarding the repair of the bridge. There are two bridges repaired. The repair of the bridge was carried out at the request of the Regent of Maybrat to the TNI.

"That was also a request from the Regent of Maybrat, officially last January 10, but unofficially it has been submitted since December. Because indeed this bridge is very vital. There are 2 bridges that connect kisor with for example towards East Aifat, Far East Aifat, South Aifat," said Andika.

The bridge was damaged by the KKB after an attack on TNI soldiers. On September 2, 2021, 4 members of the TNI were attacked and tortured to death.

"Then they cut the bridge on September 3 last year. We have repaired it. After it was repaired, it was cut again, so that this last regent's request we make the bridge permanent, no longer using wood but stone cement so that it is permanent. 10 days, but suddenly there are violent acts that violate human rights. This should not happen," said Andika.
 
There were 30 workers at the time of the attack

The TNI commander said that at that time, there were about 30 workers repairing the bridge. These five soldiers escorted them to prevent unwanted things from happening.

"Yes, because there are 30 or so workers who are protecting them. But it's not at all in our context that we don't patrol at all. They really have been working on repairs for 10 days. Well, that's what I really regret. , said Andika.

Previously, the West Papua National Liberation Army, Free Papua Organization (TPNPB OPM) claimed to be responsible for the attack on five TNI personnel in the Fankario Village and Kamat Village, East Aifat District, Maybrat Regency, West Papua. The incident occurred Thursday (20/1/2022) morning.

Spokesperson for Komnas TPNPB OPM Sebby Sambom said the attack was carried out by TPNPB Kodap IV Sorong Raya on TNI personnel who were repairing the bridge, and one of them was shot and killed.

"They have attacked terrorist forces, namely the TNI and Polri on the bridge while repairing the bridge and succeeded in shooting dead a member of the TNI and injuring one," Sebby said in his statement, Thursday (20/1/2022).

According to him, the attack was carried out at 07.00 WIT, resulting in a shootout between troops in the AIFUF river bridge area, right on the border of Kamat village and Faan Kahrio village, Aifat district, Middle East, Maybrat district, West Papua.

"The attack was carried out on orders by the Commander-in-Chief Denny Moos and the Deputy Commander of Kodap IV Sorong Raya, Brigadier General Zakarias Fatem," he said.

The attack was carried out by the Operation Commander of Kodap IV Sorong Raya Major Arnoldus Jansen Kocu and his troops from the Kamudan Battalion and the Crocodile Battalion.

SOURCE : https://www.liputan6.com/news/read/4865799/panglima-tni-tak-ada-kontak-tembak-di-maybrat-papua-barat-pure-serangan-seperti