Jayapura – Papua Regional Police Chief (Kapolda) Inspector General Mathius D Fahiri suspects the perpetrator of the shooting of Dandim 1715/Yahukimo Lt. Col. Inf J.V. Tethool is the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) led by Elkius Kobak.
The shooting incident occurred on Wednesday (1/3/2023), which resulted in the death of one TNI soldier, Pratu LW.
While Dandim 1715/Yahukimo Lt. Col. Inf J.V. Tethool, Private NS, and Sertu RS suffered gunshot wounds.
“While we strongly suspect that this is Elkius Kobak’s group, which is a new frontman, but this is a break from the old group,” said Fakhiri in Jayapura, Saturday (4/3/2023).
According to him, the Elkius Kobak group was a splinter from another group in Yahukimo which was no longer active, especially after two KKB figures, namely Senat Sol and Temianus Magayang, died.
Fakhiri also added that gunfire occurred again on Thursday (2/3/2023) afternoon when the Yahukimo Police and the Cartenz Damai Task Force were about to conduct a crime scene (TKP) investigation.
“While conducting the TKP investigation, there was gunfire between the Cartenz Peace Task Force and the KKB,” he said.
He believed that a member of the KKB was shot during the gun battle because bloodstains were found during the search.
“This has become the concern of the Carstensz Peace Task Force to immediately take firm steps in taking action,” he said.
Fahiri also wants security disturbances in Yahukimo to be resolved immediately because the area is already conducive after previously frequent armed actions.
“I hope that the incident in Yahukimo will not be repeated because in recent times this area has been quite conducive. I ask the security forces to increase their preparedness to anticipate other incidents occurring in Yahukimo,” concluded Fahiri.
