By: Viktor Awoitauw )*
The strength of the Terrorist Separatist Group (KST) has weakened after the two KST groups exchanged fire in the Puncak area, Central Papua. The attack on each other caused a number of members from both sides of the KKB to be injured and to death. This of course causes KST’s strength to weaken.
The incident began when KKB opened fire on a cargo plane owned by Asian One with flight code PK-LTF at Beoga Airport, Puncak. The caravan type aircraft transports food for local residents.
Brig. Sri said there were no casualties in the incident.
He said that the security forces guarding the location had heard 9 shots fired when the plane was about to land at Beoga Airport. After the plane landed and checked, two gunshot holes were found on the fuselage.
Officers in charge of the Yonif R 303/SSM Kostrad Mobile Yonif Task Force led by Serda also immediately took action when they heard gunshots by observing the airport perimeter. The KST who carried out the shooting were also immediately beaten back.
The aircraft belonging to Asian One was manned by pilot Capt Jonatan and co-pilot Jendrik Alomang. Both were confirmed safe and uninjured by the KKB attack.
Sri revealed that two KST shots hit the plane in the middle trunk and side of the front wheel. This prevented the pilot and co-pilot from being shot.
Later, the two KST camps, namely the JB camp with the LK and AK camps, agreed to meet in Julukoma Village, Beoga District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, last Thursday (20/4). Puncak Regent Willem Wandik revealed that the two KKB camps agreed to meet to discuss the attack on the Asian One plane at Beoga Airport.
Willem said, LK and AK were other KST groups that joined Beoga. In fact, it was this group that was suspected of shooting down the Asian One plane last week, so the two of them met in Julokoma village to clarify the difference of opinion.
Later it was also reported that the meeting between the two camps did not reach an agreement. As a result, members of each faction shot each other at the location. The action of the place was so violent that it caused casualties. Not a few KST members were reported critical to death.
Willem is also worried because a situation like this could lead to further conflicts outside the peak, especially in the conflict areas of Intan Jaya Yakuhimo, Gunung Bintang and other areas in Papua. This condition will certainly have an impact on the smooth development. He hopes that Papuan figures who have a relationship with the KKB will be able to provide awareness in stopping this incident.
He also asked the central government, Papua province, especially in areas where there is currently armed conflict, humanitarian figures, religious leaders to be serious in dealing with the issue of armed conflict, because this conflict also has an impact on the loss of civilian lives.
The occurrence of a civil war among KST from different factions is indeed troubling because it will disrupt security and stability in Papua. However, on the other hand the KKB is “wasting” bullets and manpower so that this causes the strength of the KST to weaken, thereby increasing the possibility for the TNI-Polri Apparatus to deploy the ability to paralyze the KST movement.
Previously, some KST members had also surrendered and declared that they would return to being loyal to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. This is proven by the existence of short video clips circulating, in which hundreds of KST members who came down from the mountains declared to return to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Their return was also welcomed by the Regent of Puncak Regency, S Yan Bidana, and security officials.
One of the former KST members admitted that during the guerrillas he and his friends often lacked food and were frustrated because they were afraid of being chased by the authorities, so he gave up and went down the mountain to kiss the Red and White again.
Especially during the pandemic which had an impact on the economic downturn, the KST leaders were affected, where the KST leaders couldn’t even supply the needs of their subordinates just to eat properly 3 times a day.
Usually KST who are already starving will come down from the mountains and rob people’s stalls. But there are also those who refrain from doing so. Like the former KST members who chose to go down the mountain and return to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
Among those who came down from the mountain admitted that some of them joined KST because they just joined in and were tempted by KST’s offer that promised a good life.
The reality is that KST is unable to provide welfare for its members, they can only provide its members with weapons to spread terror, even though their current condition has weakened due to the closure of access to ammunition distribution to the reduced number of KST members.
)* The author is a Papuan student living in Bandung
