Jayapura – Papua Police said that the Papuan armed criminal group (KKB) carried out 196 actions in Bumi Cendrawasih throughout 2023.
“Regarding the KKB, during 2023, the KKB in Papua has carried out 196 actions which resulted in 63 people dying,” said Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D. Fakhiri to journalists, Monday (1/1/2024).
The details of the people who died throughout 2023 according to the KKB are 23 people from the TNI, 3 people from the National Police, and 37 civilian victims. Of the hundreds of attacks, 81 people were injured.
The 81 injured victims came from 24 TNI victims, 7 from the Police, and 50 civilians. KKB Papua also took one person hostage, namely Philip Mark Mehrtens, who is a Susi Air pilot.
The two-star general of the National Police also added that the Cartenz Peace Ops Task Force phase I and phase II carried out 98 law enforcement activities in nine operational areas throughout 2023. From these operations, 32 weapons and 1,279 ammunition were confiscated.
Apart from that, the Cartenz Peace Ops Task Force succeeded in prosecuting seven Papuan political criminal groups (KKP) and 33 Papuan KKB members.
“And law enforcement against 19 KKB people,” he added.
Mathius explained that the Papuan KKB was still a threat that caused fear among the community, especially immigrants. The security forces continue to prioritize a welfare approach in handling this terrorist group.
“Regional governments, especially the regents, SKPD and DPRD are asked to appear at the front so that the public does not feel awkward about being involved in police activities. The Papua Regional Police are maximizing efforts for a more humane approach, which is expected to be able to answer various problems which have often been the trigger factors for disturbances security in society, he said.
