Tinombala Task Force Investigated over Alleged Wrongful Shooting

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Police (Polri) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Awi Setiyono on Monday announced the withdrawal of 12 Tinombala Task Force members from Poso, Central Sulawesi, to Jakarta after the personnel had allegedly unintentionally shot and killed two farmers in the region. 

“12 of the Tinombala task force have been withdrawn to the operational area of Jakarta. They are currently investigated by the National Police’s Internal Affairs Bureau,” said Awi at the police criminal investigation unit (Bareskrim) headquarters on Monday.

The investigation revealed that the shooting had happened at the Northern Coast of Poso in the Kawende Village, which is considered as a ‘red zone’ due to the intense encounters between Indonesian security forces against terrorist groups there. 

According to Awi, at the time of the incident, the Tinobala Task Force had followed existing procedures. Locals are required to pass through a post established at the location, however, on the rainy afternoon of June 2, 2020, the two victims had entered the area without reporting to guards at the post. 

“So based on protocols, the team on guard must be alert and intercept unidentified individuals,” said Awi. 

He claims the Tinombala task force members had already shouted verbal warnings and ordered the two men to stay put and not move. Unfortunately, their orders were not heeded and the farmers continued to walk and eventually ran as warning shots were fired. 

This resulted in a deadly shooting against the two farmers identified as Syarifudin (25) and Firman (17) who are local coffee farmers. Their lifeless bodies were found on Tuesday, June 2.

Read also: Police: Tinombala Squad Not Disbanded until Terrorists Arrested

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