Brimob Officer Killed in Attack by Unknown Assailants in Yahukimo, Papua

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YAHUKIMO — A Brimob officer of the Papua Regional Police, Brigpol Fredi Lukas Awes, was found lifeless in the complex on Jalan Pertanian Halabok Paradiso Belakang, in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan. Fredi is believed to have fallen victim to an attack by a group of unknown persons (OTK) on Monday (20/7/2026).

The Damai Cartenz Operations Task Force found Fredi’s body in a grim condition, bearing numerous wounds inflicted by sharp weapons. Deputy Head of Public Relations for the Damai Cartenz Operations Task Force AKBP Andri Alam explained that Brigpol Fredi was a personnel member of the Damai Cartenz 2026 Task Force’s enforcement unit (BKO).

He said that since the body was discovered, the Damai Cartenz Operations Task Force’s enforcement team has continued to search for the perpetrators and the motive behind the attack. For the time being, however, Fredi’s death is believed to be the result of assault.

“The late Brigpol Fredi Lukas Awes was found dead as a result of a number of sharp-weapon wounds allegedly inflicted by unknown persons. Police officers are still conducting an investigation to uncover the perpetrators and the motive behind this incident,” said AKBP Andri in an official Damai Cartenz Operations Task Force press statement received by journalists in Jakarta on Tuesday (21/7/2026).

Fredi’s body is currently lying in state at the family home in Jayapura City, Papua. “We express our deepest condolences for the loss of one of the finest National Police personnel, who died while carrying out his duty to the state,” said Head of the Damai Cartenz Operations Inspector General (Irjen) Faizal Ramadhani.

Prior to this incident, the Damai Cartenz Operations Task Force reported that an enforcement operation carried out by the special unit on Friday (17/7/2026) had successfully neutralised three members of the armed Papua Merdeka separatist group. The operation conducted by the Damai Cartenz Task Force last weekend took place in the Logpon KM-4 area of Dekai District, Yahukimo.

Head of the Damai Cartenz Task Force Public Relations, Commissioner (Kombes) Yusuf Sutedjo, said at the time that the three separatists killed were Roni Kubis, Kumis Passae, and Orgenes Bayage. “All three were part of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) Kodap XVI Yahukimo Yamue Battalion,” said Kombes Yusuf on Friday (17/7/2026).