TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The joint team of the Indonesian military (TNI) and National Police (Polri) planned to execute ‘the law enforcement operation’ as a last resort to free a New Zealand pilot Philips Mehrtens who was held hostage by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) led by Egianus Kogoya if negotiations end up in a deadlock.

The National Police spokesman Inspector General Dedi Prasetyo said the Commander of the XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Command, the Commander of the 172/PWY Regional Command (Korem), and the Papua Police Chief were still prioritizing a soft approach through religious leaders, church leaders, and regents with the Papuan armed group.

If the approach fails, the joint operation team code-named Damai Cartenz Task Force will carry out an operation to liberate the pilot of Susi Air.

“Of course, it depends on the situation in the area. It will be updated later by the Papua Police’s head of public relations,” said Dedi when asked about the time of the operation during a press conference at the National Police Headquarters, on Monday, February 20, 2023.

Dedi said the Papua Police had tracked the traces of the Kogoya gang through confiscated evidence, including cell phones, cameras, and their personal equipment.

Previously, Commander of the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command Major General Muhammad Saleh Mustafa appointed Commander of the 172/PWY Regional Command Brigadier General Juinta Omboh Sembiring as the Operation Commander or Dankolaksops to lead the operation and collaborate with the Damai Cartenz Task Force led by Police Chief Commissioner Faizal Rahmadani.

Law Enforcement

Commander Juinta Omboh Sembiring said the Cartenz Damai Task Force and the Indonesian Air Force's Kopasgat (Rapid Response Command) had secured Paro Airport where Susi Air was hijacked and burned by the Papuan separatist group.

“Personnel of Damai Cartenz and Kopasgat have secured Paro Airport. At present, there are no civilians in Paro Nduga, but the airport has been secured and can be used,” said Juinta in an official statement received by Tempo, on Thursday, February 16, 2023.

EKA YUDHA SAPUTRA

Editor's Choice: Indonesia Takes Persuasive Approach to Free New Zealand Pilot Taken Hostage in Papua

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News