Denjaka

Jala Mangkara Detachment
Detasemen Jala Mangkara TNI-AL

The history of Jala Mengkara Detachment (Denjaka) started on November 4, 1982 when the Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff formed a unit called Navy Special Forces (Pasusla). The existence of Pasusla was urgently needed to counter the terrorism activities in the sea.
In the initial phase, 70 personnel from Marine Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion (Yon IPAM) and Navy Underwater Special Forces Command (Kopaska) were recruited to form Pasusla. The trainings for this new unit were under the command of Western Fleet commander with the assistance from the Marine Corps commander. The Navy chief of staff was the operational commander for Pasusla. Western Fleet Command Headquarter became the unit’s base. Denjaka personnel must graduate from Anti Terror Sea Aspect course (PTAL) for 6 months and get Navy Anti terror brevet. This course was joining knowledge from Navy Underwater Team (Kopaska) and Marine Reconnaissance Unit (Taifib).
Upon further development of this unit, Navy chief of staff requested Indonesian Armed Forces commander to form Denjaka. The armed forces commander agreed to this request and since then Denjaka became the Naval Anti-Terror Unit. According to Navy chief of staff direction, Denjaka is a Marines special unit that has the responsibilities to be capable to conduct anti-terror, anti-sabotages, and naval clandestine operations under direct command of armed forces commander. They also can do various limited combat operation that ordered by the Navy chief. Today Denjaka placed somewhere in Cilandak Marine base. This area was very restricted and not many people can enter there.
Denjaka recruitment process started after the conclusion of Para and Commando trainings. Before enrolling in Denjaka training, the troop must have been qualified to become an amphibious surveillance unit member. In its operation, this special forces unit must be able to reach the operational target via sea, underwater, or airborne. Denjaka also have special qualification as a combat swimmer. This unit has been conducting several joint-practices with the US Navy SEAL teams. Denjaka was very strict on publicity, many of Denjaka mission wasn’t formally recorded in Navy headquarter. Denjaka structure consists of 1 base detachment, 1 tactical team and 3 combat team calls Alpha, Bravo and Charlie.