Indonesia is mourning the loss of one of its bravest sons. Private First Class (Praka) Farizal Rhomadhon, a member of the 113th Infantry Battalion/Jaya Sakti, was killed while serving with the Indonesian Battalion (Indobatt) under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), near the southern Lebanese municipality of Adchit Al Qusayr, on Sunday night, March 29, 2026. He was 28 years old, a husband, and a father of one child.
According to Colonel Inf. Dimar Bahtera, Commander of Infantry Brigade 25/Siwah, who visited the family's home in Ledok, Lendah, Kulonprogo Regency, Yogyakarta SR, the attack occurred while Farizal was performing the Isha evening prayer. An artillery mortar round struck just beside the mosque where the congregation was praying, and the explosion killed him on the spot.
A preliminary UN investigation found that the projectile appeared to have come from an Israeli tank, with tank shell debris recovered at the scene. Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono called on UNIFIL to conduct a full investigation, urged all parties to de-escalate, and condemned the actions that led to the loss of Indonesian life. UN Secretary-General António Guterres also condemned the incident.
Three other Indonesian soldiers sustained injuries in the attack: Private Rico Pramudia suffered severe injuries and was airlifted by helicopter to St. George's Hospital in Beirut, while Privates Bayu Prakoso and Arif Kurniawan sustained minor injuries and received treatment at a UNIFIL Level I hospital. All three peacekeepers were from the Indonesian army.
Farizal's remains are currently held at the UNIFIL East Sector Headquarters pending autopsy and repatriation to Indonesia. His return is expected to be delayed due to the closure of civilian air routes amid the broader West Asia conflict, with transit through Egypt or Jordan being considered. He will receive full military honors and be laid to rest in Kulonprogo Regency, as requested by his family. Indonesia demands not just answers, but accountability.
