744th Infantry Battalion
| 744th Special Raider Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Batalyon Infanteri Raider Khusus 744 Yonif Raider Khusus 744 | |
| Founded | 24 Januari 1978 |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Branch | Indonesian Army |
| Type | Raider Infantry |
| Role | Infantry operations |
| Size | 800 personnel (1 battalion) |
| Garrison/HQ | Belu Regency |
| Nickname(s) | Yonif 744, Satya Yudha Bhakti |
| Engagements | Operation Lotus |
| Commanders | |
| Commandant | Lt Col Inf Parada Warta Nusantara Tampubolon |
Special Raider Infantry Battalion 744 or 744th Special Raider Infantry Battalion (Indonesian: Yonif Raider Khusus 744/Satya Yudha Bhakti) is a territorial Infantry battalion of the Indonesian Army. It was formerly a part of the 21st Special Raider Infantry Brigade/Komodo Kodam IX/Udayana when East Timor was still part of Indonesia. Established on January 24, 1978, this battalion was headquartered in Los Palos, East Timor, now Timor-Leste.
One of the accomplishments of this battalion was participation in the ambush that killed the President of Fretilin, Nicolau Lobato in January 1979. The raid was conducted jointly with Kopassus troops under the command of future Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto.
Once out of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia over East Timor, the Battalion and its achievements recorded in operation to the Security Pengacau Movement (GPK) East Timor, its existence is maintained by the (then) Commander of the 9th Military Region Maj. Gen. Kiki Syahnarki. Among its past commanders was a future President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who served as commanding officer from 1986 to 1988.
Although the 164th Military Area/Wiradharma in East Timor was dissolved along with the loss of East Timor from the Republic of Indonesia, the Battalion was maintained and eventually became part of the 161st Military Area Command/Wirasakti's organic forces at Kupang. Today, it serves as part of the 22nd Infantry Brigade (raised 2009) and is one of the currently 43 Army Raider Infantry Battalions.