Military, Police Take Control of Bilogai Airport Over Armed Group

jpnn.com, PAPUA - The Nemangkawi Task Force, a joint force of Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police personnel, has taken control of Bilogai Airport, Sugapa district, Intan Jaya regency, Papua, since Friday (29/10) evening.

Previously, Bilogai Airport was occupied by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) and resulted in the absence of civil aviation.

"It is true that since Friday night, Bilogai Airport has been controlled by the TNI and National Police after previously the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) had occupied it, causing no civil flights to serve routes to the area," said the Director of Criminal Investigation at the Papua Police, Senior Commissioner Faizal Rahmadani in Jayapura, Papua, Saturday (30/10).

He said that currently, the airport was safe for aircrafts to land because members of the TNI and the police were on standby.

The middle-ranking officer said that the Papua Police would also add two platoons of personnel to Intan Jaya.

"This is to strengthen [the control over] the region," said Faizal.

The commander of the Nemangkawi Task Force said that residents had taken refuge in two locations, namely the church and the police station.

However, the exact number of people who have fled is not yet known because task force members are still collecting data.