Pasuruan residents protest stray bullets from military drills

Residents of Alas Tlogo village in Pasuruan, East Java, have lodged a protest against stray bullets allegedly originating from Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) military exercises near their homes. This marks a recurring issue, with villagers reporting multiple instances of stray bullets and seeking assistance from the Surabaya Legal Aid Institute (LBH Surabaya).

According to LBH Surabaya Director Habibus Shalihin, villagers discovered at least three bullet casings around their homes on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. These repeated incidents have instilled fear among residents who live alongside the military training area, as they feel they lack adequate protection for their lives and property. The stray bullet problem recurred on Thursday, July 23, with residents finding an even greater number of casings.

In response, villagers blocked the North Coast (Pantura) road to protest, demanding immediate government action to stop the incidents that threaten their safety. Habibus stated that the repeated stray bullet incidents in Alas Tlogo indicate a systemic problem, not mere technical accidents. He pointed to potential issues in training planning, area security, risk mitigation, weapon usage oversight, and protection mechanisms for civilians living near military training sites.

LBH Surabaya is urging the TNI Commander and the Navy Chief of Staff to temporarily suspend all live firing exercises in the area. "Until there is an objective guarantee that the safety of civilians is no longer at risk," Habibus said. He emphasized that the state must conduct an independent, transparent, and accountable investigation into each stray bullet incident. This investigation should not only trace the projectile's origin but also assess any negligence, procedural violations, or security system failures that endangered civilians. If violations are found, they must be followed by clear and public legal and administrative accountability, along with restitution for damages and psychological trauma.

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Permasalaha