Warrant Officer Bayani is a native Papuan known for his exceptional skills in KOPASSUS. He is calm, bold, and has remarkable shooting and tracking abilities. During the 1996 Mapenduma hostage rescue operation, there was conflicting intelligence, prompting me to seek the expertise of Bayani, who knew the area well. Despite British intelligence suggesting a certain location, Bayani disagreed, pointing out the impossibility of people being there without water. Bayani was recommended to me by Major Zacky Anwar, who described him as a skilled soldier with great fieldcraft techniques and physical strength.
Bayani, nicknamed the “Papuan Rambo” within KOPASSUS circles, was known for his ability to infiltrate enemy camps and seize weapons. However, he also had a history of getting into trouble in the garrison due to frequent fights. The 1996 Mapenduma operation aimed to rescue 26 researchers held hostage by the OPM in Papua. I led a team of expert trackers, including the “all Papuan team” under Bayani’s command, to navigate the challenging jungle terrain and locate the hostages.
The operation faced logistical challenges, lacking advanced equipment and real-time intelligence data. With no precise location of the hostages, the team relied on human intelligence and pinpointed six potential target areas. The operation involved airborne raids and deploying the Kasuari Team as a contingency plan to intercept fleeing hostage-takers. International advisers from the British SAS provided crucial information about a beacon signal from the hostages, leading to the successful rescue operation.
Despite the lack of resources and technological support, the Mapenduma operation was a significant success in rescuing the hostages from the treacherous jungle terrain. The bravery and expertise of Warrant Officer Bayani and the dedicated team of trackers played a crucial role in the mission’s success.
