Three Armed Criminal Group Members Killed in Yahukimo, Papua Gunfight

Three members of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) were killed in a gunfight with joint security forces in the Logpon area, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province, on Friday (17/7) at approximately 05:45 WIT. The clash occurred during a law enforcement operation by the joint task force of Operation Damai Cartenz-2026, in collaboration with Yahukimo Resort Police and Company 3, Battalion B Pelopor of the Papua Regional Police Mobile Brigade. According to the Head of Operation Damai Cartenz-2026, Inspector General Faizal Ramadhani, the operation was part of efforts to enforce the law against armed groups suspected of involvement in various violent acts in the Yahukimo region and its surroundings. "This operation was carried out based on investigation results and information obtained by officers in the field. All actions were carried out professionally, proportionally, and in accordance with applicable laws. The evidence secured will be an important part of the investigation process to comprehensively uncover the network of these armed groups," he stated in a written statement on Sunday (19/7). Identified as victims were Roni Rubis, Kumis Passae, and Orgenes Bayage, all members of the KKB Kodap XVI Yahukimo Batalyon Yamue, led by DPO Ronal Heluka. The operation was a follow-up to intelligence findings regarding the presence of this group in the Logpon area. "Based on in-depth findings, the group allegedly used a safe house in the Logpon area, KM 4, Dekai District, as an activity site. After all information was verified and analyzed, the joint team conducted the operation to prevent armed violence that could threaten public safety," said the Head of Public Relations Task Force for Operation Damai Cartenz-2026, Senior Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo. Sutejo added that prior to the operation, intensive investigations had been conducted into the group, which is suspected of involvement in various armed violence incidents in Papua since 2022. These include the murder of Pratu Eka Yohan Kaize of Kodim 1715/Yahukimo on December 3, 2022, the shooting of an Operation Damai Cartenz patrol vehicle on May 26, 2023, the burning of a Satbinmas vehicle of Yahukimo Resort Police on January 28, 2025, severe assault on Ujang Supriayatna on June 17, 2025, and the murder of Indra Guru Wardana along with the burning of a house in Asmat Regency on September 19, 2025. Further incidents include severe assault on Suwono on February 12, 2026, the murder of seven miners in Pegunungan Bintang Regency on May 19, 2026, and a gunfight with TNI personnel accompanied by building arson in Boven Digoel Regency on June 4, 2026. From the scene, the joint team secured several pieces of evidence, including three firearms, 43 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, two axes, two long knives, one Icom handy talky, a silencer, seven mobile phones of various brands, and other items. "All this evidence will be an important part of the investigation process to comprehensively uncover the network of this armed group," Sutejo stated. The bodies of the three KKB members were evacuated to the Dekai Regional General Hospital morgue. The secured evidence is being held at the Yahukimo Resort Police Criminal Investigation Unit for further investigation. Additionally, four individuals with initials OH, SM, MM, and LM were apprehended for further questioning regarding their roles and connections with the targeted armed group. Sutejo also mentioned that during the Operation Damai Cartenz-2026 in Yahukimo, four other individuals linked to KKB Kodap XVI Yahukimo Batalyon Yamue, identified as HH, KG, EH, and AS, have been secured and are undergoing legal processes. "We emphasize that this law enforcement is directed at perpetrators of armed criminal acts that threaten the safety of the public and officers, not at civilians. All actions are carried out professionally, proportionally, and in accordance with applicable laws," he concluded. Source: CNN Indonesia