TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Army (TNI) denied claims by an armed criminal group that they had killed nine TNI soldiers during an attack in Nduga, Papua on Saturday, April 15, 2023. Head of the TNI Information Center Rear Admiral Julius Widjojono said that soldiers who had been separated because of the attack had begun to be able to regroup with their units.

"The current development is very positive, the troops have started to gather," Julius said via text message on Monday, April 17, 2023.

Julius said that the TNI continues to maintain communication with field personnel to gather information about the development of the situation. Julius said that the TNI is still recording the number of personnel who managed to regroup with their units.

The Raider Infantry Battalion 321/Galuh Taruna was attacked by an armed group in Nduga on Saturday, April 15, 2023. The team was approaching the location where Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Marthens had been taken hostage by the armed groups on February 7 this year.

The TNI said that it lost one of its soldiers, First Private Miftahul Arifin, who took a shot and fell 15 meters into a ravine.

Meanwhile, the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) claimed they shot dead nine TNI members during the attack. The TPNPB-OPM spokesman Sebby Sambom also claimed that they had stolen nine weapons from the TNI.

Julius said that Sebby's claim was a lie and asked the public not to believe it. Julius said that the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, Admiral Yudo Margono, is currently visiting Papua to meet face-to-face with troops and they will hold a press conference.

M ROSSENO AJI

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