Those who departed today will serve for 12 months to maintain security together with other units.Palembang, S Sumatra (ANTARA) - National Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Admiral Yudo Margono flagged off the departure of 850 soldiers of the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea Border Security Task Force to Papua and West Papua from Palembang, South Sumatra, on Friday.
"The task force consists of 450 soldiers of raider infantry battalion 200/Bhakti Negara Kodam II/Sriwijaya and 400 soldiers of infantry battalion 133/ Yudha Sakti Kodam I/Bukit Barisan," he informed after an operation readiness check ceremony at Boom Baru Port in Palembang.
The Indonesia (RI) - Papua New Guinea Border Security Task Force was dispatched on Friday to replace the previous task force that carried out its duty for 12 months, he said.
"Those who departed today will serve for 12 months to maintain security together with other units," he informed.
Margono further said that he attended the dispatch ceremony to motivate the soldiers and to inspect their equipment directly.
"I must check the military equipment and the logistics that have been given by the TNI Headquarters so the soldiers can use them to carry out their duties with complete equipment professionally," he explained.
He said that Papua region is generally safe, but there are some areas that are facing security risks from separatist groups.
"Therefore, the RI-Papua New Guinea Border Security Task Force has been placed in vulnerable areas to maintain security so that people can carry out their daily routines safely and there is no disturbance," the TNI Commander added.
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Translator: Ahmad B, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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