"The government condemned the brutal actions that had left eight TNI members dead," Djoko said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s chief security minister Djoko Suyanto said armed groups had killed eight military (TNI) members in Papua.
"The government condemned the brutal actions that had left eight TNI members dead," he said at a press conference at his office here on Thursday.
He said the eight TNI members were killed following attacks in two separate locations by armed groups.
The first attack was at a TNI task force unit post in the Tingginambut District in the District of Puncak Jaya at around 9.30am leaving one TNI member first private Wahyu Bowo dead with shot wounds in the chest and neck, he said.
"The post commander, First Lieutenant Reza, only suffered a shot wound in his left arm," he added.
The second attack occurred at around 10.30am in Tanggulinik hamlet in Sinak District in the District of Puncak.
Djoko said 10 members of the Sinak Resort Military Command of the 1714/Puncak Jaya Military Command were on the way to Sinak airstrip to pick up logistics and radio packages from Nabire when they were ambushed and attacked leaving seven of them dead.
Those who were killed are First Sergeant Ramadhan, First Sergeant M Udin, First Sergeant Frans, First Sergeant Edi, Second Private Jojon, Second Private Wemprik and First Private Mustofa.
"Their bodies are now in the process of evacuation," he said.
TNI spokesman Rear Admiral Iskandar Sitompul said TNI forces are now conducting a manhunt in the two locations.
"The bodies of the victims would be brought to Jayapura," he said. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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