Eight gold miners in Yahukimo killed by OPM

Colonel Inf M. Wirya Arthadiguna, Commander of Kapen Koops TNI Habema, said the gold miners were killed in the Korowai area, Yahukimo Regency on Wednesday (20 May). He said the victims were killed because they were suspected of being security personnel carrying out camouflage at the site. ‘The group accused the victims of being security forces in disguise,’ said Colonel Wirya to reporters cited by detikSulsel, Thursday (21 May 2026).

Colonel Wirya also rejected the OPM’s suspicion that the victims were intelligence officers in disguise. According to him, the eight victims were clearly civilians. ‘The eight people were not security personnel as claimed by the OPM Kodap XVI Yahukimo group, but civilians engaged in gold mining activities in the area,’ he said.

Furthermore, Wirya explained that authorities are preparing the evacuation. The process will be accelerated using air routes. ‘Currently, the evacuation preparation process is ongoing with the support of joint personnel and helicopter assets to reach the scene located in the interior,’ he added.

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Watch also the video ‘Terrifying Moments of KKB Attack on SMP in Yahukimo, 1 Dead’.