Civil Servant Killed in Shooting in Yahukimo! Armed Terror Strikes Papua Again
Armed terror has once again shaken Papua. A civil servant (ASN) in Yahukimo Regency, Yones Yohame, was killed in a shooting incident that occurred in the midst of a residential area.
The bloody incident took place on Tuesday night, 21 April 2026, around 20:20 WIT in the Eselon III Housing Complex, Dekai District. The 35-year-old male victim was shot in the right chest and ultimately died.
The Head of Information for Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih, Tri Purwanto, revealed that joint security forces immediately moved to pursue the perpetrators, who are suspected of fleeing to the forest area after the incident.
“Currently, joint security forces are conducting an investigation into this case and pursuing the perpetrators who are suspected of fleeing into the forest to be held accountable for their actions,” said Colonel Tri on Wednesday, 22 April 2026.
This incident adds to the long list of violence in the region. Yones himself is known to be a native son of Yahukimo who has been actively assisting the surrounding community.
Tri also reminded the public not to be provoked by wild rumours that could worsen the security situation.
“I, on behalf of Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih, extend our condolences to the victim’s family and condemn the brutality by the OPM, who deliberately shot civilians, resulting in the victim’s death,” he said.
After the shooting, the victim’s body was immediately evacuated to Dekai Hospital. Until now, the burial process is still awaiting coordination with the family.
Previously reported, a member of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) with wanted status (DPO) initialled O.E. alias M.E. was neutralised by personnel from the Damai Cartenz 2026 Peace Operation Task Force in Wuyukwi Village, Puncak Jaya Regency, Central Papua.
The perpetrator was neutralised when he was about to be secured on Monday, 20 April 2026, around 16:15 WIT. This was revealed by the Head of the Public Relations Task Force for the Damai Cartenz 2026 Peace Operation, Commissioner of Police Yusuf Sutejo.
“The action was taken after personnel conducted monitoring and successfully identified the target’s whereabouts. When about to be secured, the individual attempted to flee and resisted the officers, so decisive and measured action was taken in accordance with procedures,” he said, quoted on Wednesday, 22 April 2026.
O.E. was a fugitive based on Letter No: DPO/S-34/04/IV/2024/Reskrim dated 25 April 2024 related to a shooting case that resulted in the death of Satgas Elang personnel, Staff Sergeant Anumerta Ismunandar, on 17 March 2024 in Kulirik Village, Muara District.