Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Police deployed a Special Force and three platoons of Mobile Brigade to hunt for a rebel group that attacked Sinak Police Station in Puncak Regency, killing three officers.
Papua Police Spokesperson Senior Police Commissioner Patrige Renwarin said three platoons of Mobile Brigade from Timika, Jayapura and Puncak Jaya along with Papua Police Special Force were deployed to the scene to look for the perpetrators “dead or alive.”
The rebel group has an estimated 25 members.
“But we are not certain how many weapons and bullets were taken. We are still expecting the result of scene investigation by team identification,” Renwarin told on Monday.
He said the team has dispatched to the location on Monday morning (28/12/2015). The local Police are also waiting for the investigation result on the scene and local witnesses to confirm the attackers. But he confirmed the attack has not connection with the President Joko Widodo’s visit to Papua in the next few days.
The body of victims would be arrived in Jayapura today around 14:00 Papua time for autopsy at Bhayangkara Police Hospital, Jayapura Municipality before taken to their hometown in Sorong, Tual and Jayapura Municipality.
“The autopsy aims to classify the projectile prototype to identify the perpetrators’ weapon,” he said.
The incident was occurred when five police officers were at their guardian post watching TV. They might be less vigilant at that time because the entire room was already closed. At the same time, one of helpers identified as DK who has worked at the local police station about four years ago, quietly opened the back door. The attackers then came through the back door and directly approached the officers and opened fire.
“The first shot hit the Second Brigadier Rian’s hand. He tried to escape through the Chief’s room. He jumped from the window and ran to the Military Sub-district Command (Koramil). The Second Brigadier Dumafa also ran away and had crashed fifteen people standing in front of him. But he managed to escape to Koramil,” he said.
While three officers, said Renwarin, could not make it because they were trapped. The attackers shot them down on the scene. The initial information received by Papua Police said the dead victims are Second Brigadier Ilham, First Brigadier Muhamad Rasyid Ridho Matdoan and Second Brigadier Muhamad Armansyah.
“The initial analysis revealed there is connection between the helper and the rebel group. He also ran away,” he added.
Separately, the Chairman of Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB) Papua, the Rev. Lipius Biniluk said he regretted the incident. Moreover it was occurred in Christmas occasion, which is a sacred day for Christians. “I hope the Police could arrest the perpetrators to find out their motive behind the attack. But they must be keen for doing so. Don’t let unrelated people becoming victims,” he said by phone. (Arjuna Pademme/rom)
