1 resident killed as TNI lowers Bulan Bintang flag in Pidie
TNI AD records 14 civilian casualties, including 13 injured, while residents say shots were fired into the crowd.
One resident was killed and at least 13 others were injured during an operation to remove a Bulan Bintang flag at a Maulid Nabi commemoration in Desa Pulo Keunari, Kecamatan Tiro, Kabupaten Pidie, Aceh, on Rabu (4/11). The person who died was identified as Abzalul Riza, 20 tahun. TNI AD said TNI-Polri personnel had earlier tried to persuade the committee not to raise the flag, but mediation failed. According to Kepala Dinas Penerangan TNI AD Brigjen Donny Pramono, the situation then escalated with stones and pieces of wood thrown at the officers, prompting troops to fire warning shots with blank rounds and then rubber bullets before bringing the flag down. A resident named Amran denied that the shots were only warning shots and said officers aimed at the crowd. Antara also reported that six TNI personnel were injured in the incident.