Ki who leads the West Papua National Committee (KNPB)-Kisor chapter is one of 19 suspects in connection to the ambush, West Papua Police Spokesperson Senior Commissioner Adam Erwindi said.
Silas Ki's central role in the deadly attack was informed by his two men who had most recently been arrested, he said in a statement that ANTARA quoted in Manokwari, the capital of West Papua Province, on Sunday.
Early last Thursday (September 2, 2021), members of an unidentified terrorist group had ambushed several soldiers while they were sleeping at the Kisor military post in South Aifat sub-district, Maybrat District.
Related news: West Papua police chief condemns killing of Kisor soldiers
Four soldiers—2nd Sergeant Amrosius, Chief Private Dirham, First Private Zul Ansari, and First Lieutenant Dirman—had died in the attack, while two others had sustained serious injuries.
The bodies of three soldiers had been found at the post, while the body of another soldier had been discovered in the bushes not far from the post.
Owing to the incident, several local residents had fled their homes over security concerns.
According to Adam Erwindi, Ki was inaugurated as the KNPB-Kisor chapter leader on December 19, 2020. He has followers in the organization.
Prior to the deadly incident, Ki had chaired two meetings that he held in July and August to discuss matters related to the well-planned ambush, he said.
The West Papua police had earlier named 19 suspects in connection with the attack. Two of the suspects have been placed under police custody, while a hunt has been launched for 17 others.
Related news: Two suspects arrested in connection with Kisor attack: army
The two suspects in police custody have been identified by their initials as MY (20) and MS (18). MY is a resident of Boksu village, while MS is a resident of Insum village of South Aifat sub-district, Erwindi said.
The police have launched a manhunt for Silas Ki, Manfred Fatem, Musa Aifat, Setam Kaaf, Titus Sewa, Irian Ki, Alfin Fatem, Agus Kaaf, Melkias Ki, Melkias Same, Amos Ki, Musa Aifat, Moses Aifat, Martinus Aisnak, Yohanes Yaam, Agus Yaam, and Robi Yaam, he said.
The West Papua police have released the names of the 17 other suspects based on the confessions of MY and MS to the investigators of South Sorong police precinct, he added.
Related news: West Papua police name 19 suspects in Kisor attack case
Related news: W Papua governor urges residents to help capture killers of soldiers
Translator: Hans AK, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
