TNI confiscates 28 rifles from OPM
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Archipelago | Fri, May 02 2014, 5:03 PM
Cendrawasih Military chief Maj. Gen. Christian Zebua said the Army (TNI) had confiscated 28 rifles from the separatist group the Free Papua Movement (OPM) between January to April during territorial operations in Papua.
"The 28 weapons were SS-1, M-16 and AK-47 assault rifles; a mouser rifle; FN-46 pistol; air guns; airsoft guns; and several homemade weapons," Christian said on Friday.
Christian was speaking during a promotion ceremony for 23 soldiers within the Cendrawasih Military Command.
"These lads were promoted because they had succeeded in confiscating OPM weapons. Unfortunately we lost chief Pvt. Sugiarto in the line of duty,” he said.
Besides the Cendrawasih Military Command soldiers, six other soldiers from different divisions were also promoted.
Christian said besides confiscating the rifles, these soldiers had also managed to foil the smuggling attempt of 900 kilograms of ammonium nitrate at the Indonesia-Malaysia borders in Bengkayang regency in West Kalimantan province.
“I hope these achievements won’t slow us down and turn us complacent,” he said.(fss/dic)
Firearms seized from alleged separatists
The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Archipelago | Sat, May 03 2014, 8:05 AM
The XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Command (Kodam) confiscated 28 firearms allegedly used by members of the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) between January and April this year.
“The firearms included SS1, M16, AK47, FN46, airsoft guns and handmade guns,” Cenderawasih Military Command chief Maj. Gen. Christian Zebua said during the ranking promotion ceremony of 23 soldiers of the Indonesian Military (TNI) on Friday.
“The soldiers took part in illegal firearm raids so they deserved to be promoted. Unfortunately, one soldier was killed in the line of duty,” he added.
The 23 promoted soldiers are from the Army Infantry Battalion (Yonif) 753/AVT, Yonif 754/ENK and Yonif 751/R.
well done and RIP for the fallen