August 26, 2025 | 05:56 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Military (TNI) has confirmed a clash between Indonesian citizens and the Unidade de Patrulhamento de Fronteiras (UPF), or Border Patrol Unit, of Timor-Leste. The incident occurred in Inbate Village, Bikomi Nilulat District, North Central Timor Regency (TTU), in East Nusa Tenggara on Monday, August 25, 2025, and resulted in an Indonesian resident, Paulus Kaet Oki, being injured.
Commander of the Border Security Task Force for the Indonesia-Timor-Leste border, Lieutenant Colonel Arh Reindi Trisetyo Nugroho, stated that the unrest was sparked by the installation of a national boundary pillar by Timor-Leste authorities, which was rejected by local residents. The pillar was reportedly encroaching on community fields.
"Initially, there was construction of a national boundary pillar, which the community did not approve of, resulting in a clash with the UPF of Timor Leste," Reindi said on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
According to Reindi, a gunshot was heard during the clash. However, the TNI has confirmed that the victim was not struck by a firearm, and the cause of the injury is still under investigation, pending the results of a forensic examination.
"What we can confirm is that the victim was not hit by a firearm. It is possible that it was from an air rifle, but we are waiting for official results," he said.
Reindi mentioned that the TNI has deployed personnel to the location to maintain stability and has reported the incident to higher command, the TTU Regional Police, and the Indonesian Consulate. "This issue will be resolved as it involves two countries," he added.
The Regent of TTU, Yosep Falentinus Delasalle Kebo, also confirmed the incident. Yosep stated that the shooting occurred when the community protested against the installation of border markers by the Timor-Leste authorities.
The incident began when Timor-Leste authorities installed a boundary marker at Point 36, a location still under dispute by both countries.
"About 15 families staged a frontal protest. At that time, Timor Leste authorities fired warning shots six times, and one of them hit our citizen, Bapak Paulus," Yosep told Tempo on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
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