Coordinating Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto has condemned the shootings in Papua on Thursday, which left eight Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel dead.
“These shootings, which were carried out by persons unknown, have been perpetrated amid the government’s massive efforts to accelerate development in Papua and improve the welfare of its people,” Djoko told a press conference.
“Therefore, I have instructed both the military and police to pursue the suspects and bring them to court,” he added.
Djoko said that right now the Papuan authorities were trying to determine the motive.
“As of this afternoon, no group has claimed responsibility for the shootings,” he said on Thursday.
Djoko also asked local churches and tribal leaders to work hand-in-hand with the government to persuade these armed groups to abandon their violent acts.
As many as eight soldiers were shot dead in two separate attacks in the mountainous Puncak Jaya regency in Papua on Thursday morning, the most severe attack in Papua this year.
A military post in the Tingginambut district was attacked at 9:30 a.m. local time (7:30 am Jakarta time), killing First Pvt. Wahyu Bowo, who was shot in the chest and neck, and injuring First Lt. Reza, who was shot in his left arm, according to data released by Djoko’s office.
An hour later, a group of 10 soldiers were ambushed while heading to the Sinak airstrip in Sinak district. Seven of the 10 soldiers were killed, namely First Sgt. Ramadhan; First Sgt. M. Udin; First Sgt. Frans; First Sgt. Edi; Chief Pvt. Jojon; Chief Pvt. Wemprik; and First Pvt. Mustofa.(dic)