Papua Clash Leads to Death of TNI Soldier

The Jakarta Globe, September 1, 2013.


Jayapura/Jakarta. A clash between security personnel and armed separatists in Papua on Saturday led to the death of an Indonesian Military (TNI) soldier.

Private First Class Andry was on duty at a military post in the Tingginambut subdistrict of Puncak Jaya, Papua, on Saturday afternoon, when a group of armed civilians reportedly attacked the post.

TNI soldiers and some 10 members of the armed group allegedly operating under the command of Goliat Tabuni and Terius Tabuni, who lead the armed wing of the rebel Free Papua Movement (OPM), then proceeded to exchange gunfire

It was during the attack that Andry was shot in his stomach. He died immediately at the scene.

“The victim’s remains were immediately brought to Mulia Hospital [in Puncak Jaya],” Col. Lismer Lumbar Siantar, a spokesman for the TNI’s Papua and West Papua Command, said.

“Due to bad weather, however, we couldn’t immediately take him to Jayapura onboard a plane. We’ll probably be able to do that tomorrow.”

Lismer added that the armed group managed to flee into the jungle after stealing some weaponry belonging to the soldiers.

Meanwhile, Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. I Gede Sumerta Jaya said he was saddened by the incident because Andry, along with some other TNI soldiers, was helping police guard the distribution of some basic necessities for people living in the Puncak Jaya district.

“This incident will surely hinder the distribution of necessities and make prices soar even further,” Sumerta said. “Suppliers of those basic necessities will be traumatized and be afraid to channel goods to the region.”



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