Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian Army is investigating reports that two Australian citizens allegedly supplied weapons to an armed criminal group (KKB) in Papua. 

“We will try to track whether the weapons entered by sea, air, or land. We continue to evaluate,” Army Chief General Maruli Simanjuntak told reporters after a closed meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR)’ Commission I on Tuesday (16/9/2025), as reported by antaranews.com.

He acknowledged challenges in monitoring illegal arms flows due to Indonesia’s vast maritime and air territories but assured authorities are committed to verifying the claims. 

According to the defense-focused Instagram account, @isds.indonesia, on Monday, the two men from Queensland and New South Wales allegedly conspired to supply firearms to KKB factions involved in previous hostage incidents, including the abduction of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens.

The investigation is ongoing as Indonesian authorities aim to confirm the authenticity of the social media reports.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)