Weapon Recovered In East Timor May Belong To NZ

NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE
TE OPE KAATUA O AOTEAROA

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WEAPON RECOVERED IN EAST TIMOR MAY BELONG TO NEW ZEALAND BATTALION

The new Zealand Battalion group in East Timor has been made aware that a weapon has been discovered by the Indonesian Army (TNI) when they apprehended a group of militia on the West Timor / East Timor Border yesterday (Friday) at approximately 1 PM.

The weapon is similar to the one carried by Private Leonard Manning when he was killed earlier this year, and that was reported to have been taken by the militia during that incident. The United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor (UNTAET) and the Peace Keeping Force Headquarters (PKF HQ) are currently in discussion with the TNI who are conducting an investigation to ascertain whether the weapon discovered is the same one that was taken.

Brigadier Lou Gardiner, New Zealand’s Senior National Officer (SNO) in East Timor says “The New Zealand Battalion continue their operations as normal and their focus won’t change due to the discovery of the weapon.”

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