Timika (ANTARA) – Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) confirmed that a figure of the Papua Liberation Army/Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), namely Hermanus Hogajau, also known as Pontianus Hogajau, was killed in an exchange of fire with Indonesian military personnel in Agisiga Subdistrict, Intan Jaya District, Central Papua.
In an official statement received in Timika on Tuesday, Commander of the Joint Regional Defense Command III Lt Gen Lucky Avianto said Hermanus and three of his men, allegedly members of the TPNPB-OPM, were killed in an armed clash with personnel from the 315 Garuda Infantry Battalion Special Team and the Taipur Team of the Habema Joint Operations Command.
The clash occurred in Agisiga Subdistrict in the early hours of Friday (Sept 25).
Besides Hermanus, who acts as the TPNPB-OPM Kodap III Balamai Dulla commander, TNI has identified three members, namely Malobega Hogajau, Eselon Hogajau, and Aguni Hogajau.
Lucky alleged that Hermanus is a prominent and violent OPM figure and that the three others were suspects in several violent crimes, particularly alleged human rights abuses in Intan Jaya, including the rape of village women and health workers, robbery of people’s property, agricultural produce and livestock, abduction of children and women, and the burning of churches and schools.
Lucky said Hermanus did not hesitate to injure or even kill anyone who refused to comply with their demands.
According to the statement, Hermanus was the first to fire hundreds of live rounds with a machine gun at TNI personnel.
The personnel from the 315 Garuda Infantry Battalion and the Taipur Team of the Habema Joint Operations Command had detected and anticipated the TPNPB-OPM’s plan to enter residential areas in 10 villages of Agisiga Subdistrict.
Lucky said the Indonesian Military and Police would continue efforts to pursue and arrest perpetrators of alleged human rights abuses in Papua.
Indonesian Military would take firm action in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, with Rules of Engagement serving as a guiding principle to ensure that all actions by personnel remained professional and upheld the law and human rights.
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Translator: Bayu Prasetyo
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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