Damai Cartenz Task Force Claims Discovery of Two Victims Kidnapped by Separatists in Kampung Bela

The Damai Cartense Operation Task Force claims to have successfully found two of several civilians suspected to have been kidnapped by the Papua Merdeka armed separatist group in Jila District, Mimika, Central Papua, on 17 August 2026. Security forces managed to evacuate Demerina Uamang (23) alive, though tragedy struck as Yosina was found lifeless.

Spokesperson for the Damai Cartenz Operation Task Force, Commissioner Jusuf Sutejo, stated that both kidnapping victims were discovered in Kampung Bela-1, located in the Alama District of Mimika. Both were successfully evacuated on Monday (14/9/2026) with the assistance of local community leader Agustinus Anggaibak.

“The Damai Cartenz Task Force, together with the Mimika Police and assisted by community leaders in Mimika, successfully evacuated one survivor,” said Jusuf on Thursday (16/9/2026).

Jusuf explained that the evacuation was made possible after police teams and community leaders confirmed the whereabouts of the kidnapped victims. Search efforts had been ongoing since the initial kidnapping on 17 August.

However, full identification was only available on 7 September 2026. During that period, community leaders in Kampung Bela-1 reported that a child had been found in the area.

“Initially, they did not know who the victim was. We then conducted an investigation and identification process. The results confirmed that the child was indeed Demerina Uamang, who was a victim of the kidnapping on 17 August 2026,” said Jusuf.

When found, Jusuf noted that Demerina was not alone. Beside him was another victim identified as Yosina, “but in a deceased condition,” Jusuf added.

The late Yosina was described as being emaciated, believed to have survived for 20 days without food. “They struggled for 20 days in the forest without food or water. The victim Demerina is still alive but in a very weak condition,” said Jusuf.

Following the discovery, Yosina was buried in Kampung Bela-1, while Demerina was transported to a medical facility and evacuated to Bhayangkara Hospital in Timika. Jusuf stated that Demerina remains under intensive medical care.

On 17 August 2026, an attack by an armed group was reported in Jila District. During that attack, nine female residents, all minors, including one pregnant woman, were kidnapped by the attackers. Mimika Police Chief AKBP Alfredo Agustinus Rumbiak believes that armed separatists from Nduga in Highland Papua are the group responsible for the forced abduction of the children and adolescent girls.