Papua Police Reveal Alleged Motive of Yahukimo Shootings

JAYAPURA, KOMPAS.com - Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D. Fakhiri said that there are several alleged motives behind a series of the shooting involving the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Dekai district, Yahukimo regency, Papua over the past week.

His suspicions are still related to the hostage-taking of Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Merthens by KKB led by Egianus Kogoya in the Nduga regency.

"If we look at this, it is still the same group, all with the same affiliation. It could also be intentional to divert attention from the issue, or this group could be seeking popularity after seeing that they succeeded in bringing a pilot from Nduga, they also carried out these actions to be seen," Fakhiri said in Jayapura on Tuesday, March 14.

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Therefore, the security forces are still focusing on rescuing the Susi Air pilot and currently, they will also try to restore the situation in Yahukimo. Fakhiri stated that reinforcement troops will be sent to Yahukimo, including additional personnel assistance from outside Papua.

"We, the police, assisted by our TNI [Indonesia military] colleagues, will strengthen the areas where there are always shooting disturbances," he said.

Regarding the decision of Trigana Air and Wings Air management to temporarily stop operations in Yahukimo, Fakhiri said that the security forces will work hard to ensure that the Nop Goliath Airport area is free from security disturbances.

"We provide security guarantees, but we need to make sure first, we will strengthen Yahukimo," he added.

The security situation in Yahukimo has been disrupted since March 1. At that time, Private LW was killed, Dandim (Military District Command) 1715/Yahukimo Letkol Inf J.V. Tethool, and two of his men were shot.

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