Warrant Officer Bayani is a native Papuan who is well known in KOPASSUS for his calm demeanor, boldness, incredible shooting skills, and tracking abilities. During the 1996 Mapenduma hostage rescue operation, conflicting intelligence was a major challenge. Seeking the expertise of someone familiar with the area, Bayani was summoned for his opinions on the information provided by British intelligence experts. Despite being informed that the intelligence was based on advanced technology, Bayani firmly rejected it, explaining that the location indicated by the British intelligence was impractical due to the lack of water, making it unlikely for anyone, including the kidnapper Kelly Kwalik, to be present there.
Bayani was initially recommended to the speaker by Major Zacky Anwar, who recognized Bayani’s exceptional fieldcraft techniques and physical strength from operations in West Irian. Known for his bravery and stealth, Bayani once infiltrated an enemy guerilla camp unarmed, subdued the guards, and returned with them as prisoners. Despite his impressive skills in the field, Bayani often found himself in trouble with authorities in the garrison due to frequent involvement in fights.
The speaker’s story about Warrant Officer Bayani revolves around the 1996 Mapenduma military operation to rescue 26 researchers, including seven foreign nationals, who were held hostage by the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM). Tasked with leading the operation by General Feisal Tanjung, the speaker established a core team of expert trackers known as the Kasuari Team, led by Bayani, nicknamed the “Papuan Rambo.” This team of native Papuan soldiers was responsible for tracking down the hostage-takers and hostages in the challenging terrain of Papua’s dense jungle.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including the lack of equipment and real-time intelligence data, the operation was ultimately successful. With limited resources, including hand-drawn maps and civilian GPS devices, the speaker relied on human intelligence and the expertise of his team to pinpoint the target locations. The Kasuari Team’s tracking abilities played a crucial role in the operation, ensuring the safety of the hostages and the success of the mission.
The speaker also highlights the valuable information provided by international advisers from the British SAS, who smuggled in a beacon to locate the hostages during the operation. This additional intelligence, combined with the efforts of the Kasuari Team, contributed to the successful rescue of the hostages in the challenging jungle terrain. Overall, the story of Warrant Officer Bayani exemplifies courage, expertise, and ingenuity in the face of adversity during a critical military operation.