It should not cause too much concern for the public. The military and police personnel deployed in both the highland and lowland areas are adequate
Timika, Papua (ANTARA) - The police and military in Mimika, Papua, have beefed up security in the region as a precautionary measure against a possible terror attack by armed rebels in Tembagapura and its adjoining area.

Mimika Police Chief Adjunct Sen. Comm. Agung Marlianto stated here on Wednesday that the Indonesian Military (TNI) and Indonesian Police (Polri) had deployed its troops both in the highland and lowland areas to ensure security for civilians residing there.

"It should not cause too much concern for the public. The military and police personnel deployed in both the highland and lowland areas are adequate," Marlianto affirmed.

He revealed that the security personnel are also supported by the Amole Task Force stationed to secure the operational area of PT Freeport, as well as the TNI's Pam Rawan Task Force and the police's mobile brigade Nemangkawi Task Force.

"We have a strong presence of troops in Tembagapura as well as in Timika. Any parties attempting to disrupt public order in Mimika will face stern measures," he stated.

Earlier, Intan Jaya District Head Natalis Tabuni stated that perpetrators behind the shooting of three motorcycle taxi (ojek) drivers in the region on October 25 were not residents of the district. There was an indication that the shooters would shift their operation to Tembagapura.

Related news: Papua police probe killing of three Ojek drivers

Three ojek drivers -- Rizal (33), La Sonny (39), and Harianto (30) -- were shot dead by an armed group. The Lekagak Telenggen-led armed rebels were allegedly responsible for the killing of the three ojek drivers.

Telenggen was allegedly the mastermind behind the series of shooting attacks in Ilaga and Beoga in Puncak District.

Papua Police Chief Inspector General Paulus Waterpauw had warned the police force, including the mobile brigade and special task force in Mimika, Papua Province, in October to stay on guard against criminal groups in the district.

"Members of armed criminal groups have been moving towards this area, so, please stay alert," he told ANTARA that contacted him from Timika, the capital city of Mimika District. Related news: President Jokowi inaugurates Youtefa Bridge in Jayapura

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EDITED BY INE

Translator: Evarianus Supar, Sri Haryati
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019