Pangdam Kasuari states that the TNI will not withdraw from KST Maybrat
Sorong, Pacifictopic.com – The commander of Kodam stated, “We will never retreat even one step in the face of this attack. We will persist in defending the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia,” as conveyed in a press release received from Kapendam XVIII/Kasuari, Colonel Arm Hendra Pesireron, on Friday (21/1/2022).
Kapendam, in the press release, expressed that the Military Commander and the extended family of Kodam…
The Military Commander has strongly condemned the perpetrators behind the attack on five TNI soldiers while they were carrying out their community service duties.
The TNI Army mourns the loss of one of its own, a native Papuan from Raja Ampat, belonging to the Rumbiak Saereri clan. Second Sergeant Miskel Rumbiak, a son of the nation who served his land and people with distinction.
“However, their dedication was met with inhuman treatment by the condemned terrorist separatist group in Maybrat, West Papua,” stated Kapendam..
The soldiers were attacked while carrying out territorial development duties
According to Pangdam Kasuari, Second Sergeant Miskel Rumbiak, along with four injured members, were attacked while carrying out territorial development duties for the benefit of local communities in the East Aifat District.
“Yonzipur 20/PPA soldiers were constructing a pedestrian bridge, the sole access link between Fan Khario village and Kamat village in East Aifat District, Maybrat Regency, but they were then attacked by KST Papua,” stated Kapendam.
Kapendam further mentioned that there was strong suspicion that the group responsible for the attack on the five Yonzipur 20/PPA soldiers originated from the same organization, namely the West Papua National Committee (KNPB).
“We strongly suspect that they are the KNPB Maybrat group, which has been declared as a DPO (Dalam Pencarian Orang or Person in Search) status after the attack on the preparatory Koramil post in Kisor village last September 2021,” stated Kapendam.
Kapendam further explained that the soldiers of the 20/Pawbili Pelle Alang Combat Engineer Battalion, abbreviated as Yonzipur 20/PPA, were the organic Engineer Battalion of the XVIII/Kasuari Military Command.
“The name of this unit is derived from the local language, namely Pawbili: Building, Pelle: Fighting, Alang: Soldier, which signifies soldiers who are prepared to both fight and build,” Kapendam elaborated.
Following the attack, Kasdam XVIII/Kasuari, Brigadier General TNI Djoko Andoko, promptly represented the Military Commander and headed to Sorong. During his visit, Kasdam was accompanied by Danrem 181/PVT, Asintel, Asops, Kazidam, and Dandim 1802/Sorong to observe firsthand the condition of the soldiers who were victims of the attacks from KST Papua. They were currently receiving treatment at Sorong Naval Hospital.
