Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - Private 1 Sirwandi of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), who was shot in his chest and stomach by armed separatists in Papua, succumbed to his wounds while being treated in Wamena Public Hospital, Jayawijaya District, Papua Province, on Saturday evening.

Sirwandi, an officer of the Indonesian Military's Infantry Battalion (Yonif) of RK751/VJS, was shot in Trans Wamena-Habema, Jayawijaya, Papua Province, on Friday at around 3:30 p.m. local time by members of separatist group led by Egianus Kogoya.

The fallen soldier's remains would be returned to his hometown in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Lt Col Eko Daryanto, spokesman of the Regional Military Command (Kodam) XVII/Cenderawasih, said here on Sunday.

He had undergone two surgeries at the ICU room of the Wamena Hospital before he succumbed to his wounds.

Sirwandi joined a military vehicle convoy carrying logistics of his battalion, when suddenly separatists ambushed them from left and right sides of Trans Wamena road.

Twelve military officers who guarded the convoyed, got out of the cars and fired back. The shootout lasted around 20 minutes and the separatists ran away.

During the shootout, two military officers were injured, namely Private Panji, who was shot in his left hand, and Sirwandi who was wounded in his chest, stomach and thigh.

Translator: Anwar Maga, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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