REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The joint security task force has taken control of the security situation in the villages of Kimbely and Banti in Tembagapura District, Mimika, after being held hostage by an armed criminal group.

"The security task force, led by Commander of the Papua Mobile Brigade, has recaptured the Kimbely and Banti villages at 9:30 a.m. local time," Head of Public Information of Indonesia Police Brigadier General Rikwanto stated here on Friday.

Several high-ranking officers of the Police, such as Assistant Chief of Operations of Indonesia Police Inspector General Iriawan and Head of Papua Regional Police Inspector General Boy Rafli Amar, also visited the villages.

The hostage evacuation process was conducted between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. local time amid the shooting incident.

The commander of Regional Military Command XVII Cenderawasih Major General TNI George Elnadus Supit said the release of hostages will be done gradually.

"We gradually release all the hostages and now we are on the location," George said to Republika.co.id, on Friday (November 17).

A total of 346 people were part of the first batch of freed hostages. They were evacuated to the Tembagapura Sector Police Office.

Of the 346 hostages, 23 were children, from Kimbeli Village and Longsoran Village.

The armed criminal group had earlier taken 1,300 civilians as hostages in the Kimbely and Banti villages of Tembagapura Sub-district.

The police have identified 21 members of the armed group that are believed to have conducted the hostage-taking act: Ayuk Waker, Obeth Waker, Ferry Elas, Konius Waker, Yopi Elas, Jack Kemong, Nau Waker, Sabinus Waker, Joni Botak, Abu Bakar or Kuburan Kogoya, Tandi Kogoya, Tabuni, Ewu Magai, Guspi Waker, and Yumando Waker or Ando Waker.

Moreover, Yohanis Magai, Yosep Kemong, Elan Waker, Lis Tabuni, Anggau Waker, and Gandi Waker were listed as members of the armed group.

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