Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A member of the Indonesian Navy`s Marine Corps hijacked a Malang-Jakarta bound Gajayana executive train on Saturday morning.

Navy spokesman Commodore Untung Surapati told ANTARA News after the incident that the hijacker was identified as First Sergeant Darso.

"Darso is a marine working at the Main Naval Base (Lantamal) III," Untung said, adding that based on information he had received, Darso and three other civilians hijacked the Gajayana executive train when it passed through Cikampek railway station in West Java.

Untung said the marine and three other hijackers forced the driver of the ill-fated train to divert its route to Senen station instead of Gambir station in Jakarta.

The normal route of the Gajayana executive train from Malang, East Java, to Cikampek station actually passes Bekasi, Jatinegara, and ends at Gambir station but it was diverted to Senen station.

Untung said that for his act, Darso would face severe punishment.

The hijacking drama triggered by Darso and his friends ended at Senen railway station where they exchanged fire with policemen.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Metropolitan Police spokesman Brig. Gen Suhardi Alius said police in cooperation with TNI personnel arrested the hijackers at Senen station on Saturday.

"The ill-fated Gajayana train was supposed to head to Gambir station from Jatinegara but it was hijacked and diverted to Senen, we finally arrested the hijackers," Suhardi said.

Suhardi explained that the train was hijacked after it had left Cirebon station for Jakarta.

He said three illegal passengers and the marine forced themselves into the locomotive and otdered the driver to take the train in the direction they wanted: Senen station.

"But soon after the train arrived at Senen station we immediately arrested the hijackers," Suhardi said, adding that the perpetrators were carrying firearms and sharp weapons during their action.
(Uu.O001/HAJM/B003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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