JAKARTA |LINTASTIMOR.ID)-The silence of the border was shattered not only by gunfire but also by grief. Eight spent casings and a single bullet projectile—collected by Indonesian police investigators—now stand as silent witnesses to the shooting of a resident of East Nusa Tenggara along the frontier between Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
The incident, which occurred on Monday (August 25, 2025), has raised alarm in both legal and diplomatic circles. What was once a narrow line of geography has now become a fault line of law, justice, and bilateral relations.
Forensic officers from the TTU Police Inafis Team uncovered eight bullet casings and one long-barrel firearm projectile at the crime scene. These pieces of evidence are central to uncovering the truth behind the tragedy.
“These casings and projectile are not just lifeless objects. They are silent witnesses that will guide us to the truth about who pulled the trigger and why,” said Police First Inspector (Ipda) Markus Wilco Mitang, Spokesperson of TTU Police, on Tuesday (August 26).
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has moved swiftly, lodging an official diplomatic note with Timor-Leste.
“This incident concerns the safety of Indonesian citizens and the stability of our border region. We have requested clarification from the Government of Timor-Leste,” said the Ministry’s Spokesperson in Jakarta.
At stake is more than just a criminal investigation. In the eyes of international law, the protection of civilians in border zones is a sacred obligation. History has shown that border violence often ripples beyond geography—touching diplomacy, regional stability, and the fabric of human trust.
Observers warn that unresolved incidents could undermine the spirit of fraternity between Indonesia and Timor-Leste, two nations bound by shared history and kinship.
“At the border, a bullet does not only pierce flesh. It tears at the fabric of brotherhood. Justice for the victim is the foundation of peace between two nations,” said an international relations expert in Kupang.
Both Jakarta and Dili are expected to intensify communication channels in the coming days to ensure that the incident does not ignite further political or social tensions. For now, all eyes are on the joint pursuit of justice—where law and diplomacy must walk hand in hand.
- National : Justice for the victim, security of Indonesian citizens, accountability under domestic law.
- International Diplomatic engagement between Indonesia and Timor-Leste, adherence to international norms on border security and human rights, maintaining peace in a sensitive frontier.
