JAKARTA: Nine women and children have reportedly been taken hostage by separatists from the Free Papua Movement (OPM) following an attack on an Indonesian Military (TNI) security post in Jila district, Mimika, Central Papua, that left one soldier and a civilian dead, authorities have claimed.
Mimika Military District Commander Lt. Col. Jozanda said the TNI immediately deployed personnel to pursue the suspected kidnappers after receiving reports from local residents that the group had taken the women and children hostage.
“Do not worry. We are in pursuit of the perpetrators,” Jozanda said in Timika on Wednesday as quoted by Kompas.com.
“We hope the soldiers carrying out the pursuit will be able to quickly locate and rescue the children,” he added.
According to Jozanda, the incident began when members of the armed separatist group allegedly attacked an Army post and the Jila Military Subdistrict Command (Koramil) from three directions on Indonesia’s Independence Day on Monday.
The attackers allegedly shot and killed one soldier and wounded two others during the assault, Jozanda said.
Security forces returned fire, forcing the armed group to retreat. As they fled towards a forested area, the rebels are believed to have abducted nine local women and children and took them with them.
Jozanda said that during the abduction, OPM rebels allegedly shot and killed a local woman who tried to prevent her daughter from being taken.
Another mother was allegedly pushed into a ravine but survived with broken bones.
He added that authorities only learned about the abductions on Wednesday, after soldiers visited the area to assess security conditions and check on residents following the attack.
It was during the sweep that people reported that several of their family members had been taken by OPM members.
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Jila district is a remote, mountainous region located about 90 kilometres from Timika, the capital of Mimika regency.
Situated at an elevation of around 2,800 metres above sea level, the district has inadequate road access. It can only be reached by air, using small aircraft or helicopters from Timika.
The area has experienced recurring armed clashes between TNI personnel and OPM-affiliated groups in recent years.
Jozanda said the security situation in Jila had gradually stabilised following the attack. However, air transportation to the district remained unavailable, making access to the area difficult.
Mimika Police chief Sr. Adj. Comr. Alfredo Agustinus Rumbiak said on Wednesday that authorities had identified the nine civilians believed to be held hostage by the OPM.
They include Nemerina Wamang, 17, who is reportedly in the early stages of pregnancy; Alin Mesawarol, a sixth-grade elementary school pupil; Nopi Aim, a fourth-grade pupil; and Opinte Meswaro, a third-grade pupil.
The other five were identified as Yonita Senawatme, 18; Meria Nibilingame, 15; Wena Katagame, 18; Ilimin Onawame, 18; and Miante Nibilingame, 13.
Rumbiak said the Mimika Police would send a team to Jila to conduct a crime scene investigation and gather evidence related to the alleged abductions.
“We will conduct a crime scene investigation and deploy Mobile Brigade [Brimob] personnel to reinforce our colleagues at the Jila Police,” Rumbiak said as quoted by state news agency Antara.
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The ambush in Jila district was part of a series of attacks launched by the OPM over the course of Independence Day.
Another shootout took place in Asologaima district (Kimbin) in Jayawijaya regency, Papua Highlands on Monday.
On Sunday, OPM rebels allegedly led by Botak Wanimbo shot a civilian, identified only as AS, in the Old Pertamina complex in Wenam district, Tolikara regency in Papua Highlands.
The victim was shot in his left leg and was evacuated by authorities.
Also on Sunday, TNI soldiers killed three suspected OPM rebels during a firefight inside a forest area in Eral Makawia district, Puncak regency in Central Papua. - Jakarta Post/ANN
