Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo condoled the death of Brig. Gen. I Gusti Putu Danny Karya Nugraha, Indonesia's top agent in Papua, in a gunfight in Dambet Village, Beoga Sub-district, Puncak District, Papua Province, on Sunday.

"The state will give Brig. Gen. I Gusti Putu Danny a posthumous promotion by granting him one rank higher than that held at the time of his death to honor his dedication, service, and sacrifice," Widodo noted at the Merdeka Palace here Monday.

President Widodo expressed grief over Nugraha's death in the Beoga shooting incident and extended his deepest condolences to the families of this fallen agent.

State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Deputy VII, Wawan Hari Purwanto, had stated earlier that intelligence officers and security personnel would never retreat from fighting armed separatist and terrorist groups in the province following the death of Brig. Gen. Nugraha.

"This incident will not deal a blow to the outlook and morale of the intelligence officers and security personnel in addressing all types of national security threats," he affirmed.

The fall of the BIN-Papua Office head on duty has demonstrated the sacrifice of Indonesian intelligence officers in defending Indonesia's sovereignty, he reiterated.

"This incident has also become a symbol of BIN's services in enforcing laws as a front liner in the national security system," he stated.

A military funeral is organized for Nugraha at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery on Tuesday, Purwanto revealed.

Papua Police Chief Insp. Gen. Mathius Fakhiri had remarked earlier that this fallen BIN agent died of gunshot wounds in Dambet Village, Beoga Sub-district, Puncak District, on Sunday at 3:50 p.m. local time.

Nugraha visited the village along with seven security personnel at about 9:20 a.m. local time aboard four motorcycles. During the stay at the village, he got shot in the gunfight.

Dambet Village is some three kilometers away from Beoga. It recently came under attack by armed Papuan criminals, who had set ablaze several houses of innocent civilians and elementary school buildings.

Over these past four months, Papua has borne the brunt of a string of violent attacks by armed groups targeting civilians in districts, including Puncak and Intan Jaya.

The armed groups often employ hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian security personnel while unleashing acts of terror against civilians to trigger fear among the people.

Ojek drivers, teachers, students, and street food vendors, among others, have fallen victims to their terror acts. They also attacked civilian aircraft. Related news: Indonesia's top agent in Papua dies of gunshot wounds
Related news: Fallen top agent's coffin flown to Timika on Monday: Military


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Translator: Indra AP, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
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