Armed Group Attacks Government Office, Public Market in Indonesia’s Papua

JAYAPURA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesian security forces clashed with an armed criminal group (KKB) in Sugapa District in Intan Jaya Regency, Papua on September 23. No injuries were reported.

The two sides exchanged gunfire after the KKB first opened fire. “They just want to annoy,” Military District Command (Dandim) 1705/Paniai Commander Lieutenant Colonel Inf Benny Wahyudi told Kompas.com on Wednesday.

The skirmishes occurred in front of the office of the Intan Jaya Regent and Sugapa market. Benny confirmed no casualties were reported in the incident.

Also read: Man Killed in Attack by Unidentified Men in Indonesia’s Easternmost Province of Papua

Previously, Kompas.com reported that five members of the armed criminal group who were in Tembagapura in the Mimika Regency also came to Hitadipa District in Intan Jaya Regency. They did not only transit in Hitadipa District but also turned it into a conflict zone.

The armed criminal group began to open fire on September 14.

Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) will increase the number of troops in Intan Jaya Regency to contain the situation there.

However, it was reported that the airlines were reluctant to transport the troops due to the presence and activities of the armed criminal group. Currently, the TNI and Police are still trying to use any means and facility they have to transport the troops to Intan Jaya Regency.

(Writer: Dhias Suwandi | Editor: David Oliver Purba)

Source: https://regional.kompas.com/read/2020/09/23/13124931/terjadi-kontak-senjata-tni-polri-dengan-kkb-di-depan-kantor-bupati-dan-pasar?page=all#page3.