TNI Confirms Soldier Gone Rogue in Papua
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23 April 2021 17:16 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A soldier of the Indonesian Armed Forces or TNI has gone rogue and joined an illegal armed groups in Papua. This news has been confirmed by the head of information at TNI's Joint Regional Defense Command III, Col. Czi IGN Suriastawa.
"The individual deserted his post without carrying weapons. His whereabouts are still unknown," Suriastawa said in a written statement, Friday, April 16.
According to Suriastawa, the TNI soldier is a member of the Infantry Battalion (Yonif) 410. He said that the soldier left his post on February 12 and the incident had been reported. However, the illegal armed group in Papua recently shared this information again, making it seem like it happened just recently.
He advises residents of Ilaga and nearby areas to increase vigilance against possible acts of terrors and gun attacks by the OPM, as the armed group, he said, is currently frustrated.
"Their political front is frustrated after failing to thwart the revision of the Special Autonomy Law. They are frustrated because they are cornered by the police's law enforcement operations, which the TNI supports," he remarked.
Read: TNI Soldier Reportedly Joins Papua Armed Criminal Group
Egi Adyatama
