Indonesia foils attack plots ahead of Independence Day
Indonesia's Major General Kristomei Sianturi, head of the National Armed Forces (TNI) Information Office, said the Habema Task Force carried out the operations to ensure public order and security in Papua.
An Indonesian military task group incapacitated many members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) in three different operations ahead of Independence Day (August 17).
Major General Kristomei Sianturi, head of the National Armed Forces (TNI) Information Office, said the Habema Task Force carried out the operations to ensure public order and security in Papua.
The first operation took place on August 8 in Biak Village, Puncak Jaya, Central Papua, targeting an armed group led by fugitive Tenggamati Enumbi.
Three OPM rebels were shot, one of whom is believed to be Tenggamati Enumbi, Sianturi stated.
Enumbi has been wanted by the Papua Regional Police since January 2014 for his role in a violent robbery at a police station in Puncak Jaya.
The task group carried out its second operation on August 11, raiding Mamba village in Intan Jaya. Soldiers attacked the OPM's Kodap VIII Kemabu faction in a gun battle, killing one rebel.
Rebels attempted to confront Indonesian soldiers following the earlier raid in the third operation, which took place on August 12 near Eknemba village in Intan Jaya.
Teleginus Maiseni and his aide Seprianus Maiseni were slain in a firefight. Sianturi revealed that both were members of the Kemabu gang.
Sianturi said the TNI will continue patrolling to defend local populations from armed groups while also ensuring Papua's security and stability./.