Four KKB Members Killed in Shootout in Dekai, Yahukimo

A joint team from the Damai Cartenz Operation Task Force (ODC) and the Yahukimo Police were involved in a shootout with the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in the Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands, on Tuesday (1/9). The incident resulted in the deaths of four Papua KKB members.

The Head of Public Relations for the Damai Cartenz Operation Task Force, Police Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, confirmed that the group involved in the clash was the Eden Sawi Battalion from the KKB Kodap XVI Yahukino.

“Initially, the joint team intended to carry out an arrest of KKB Kodap XVI Yahukimo Eden Sawi Battalion members led by Deputy Commander Habis Nare in the area of the old KPU office, Miyaro Road, Dekai District. However, the group opened fire, leading to a shootout,” Yusuf Sutejo stated in Jayapura on Wednesday (2/9).

Yusuf explained that as the joint personnel entered the old KPU office area, they were immediately met with gunfire from the KKB direction. Officers attempted to fire warning shots into the air, but the group ignored them.

A firefight became unavoidable. Several KKB members were seen fleeing towards the forest behind the scene while continuing to fire at the officers. Once the situation was brought under control, the joint personnel conducted a sweep of the crime scene.

“After the situation became relatively safe, an inspection was conducted, and four KKB members’ bodies were found,” Yusuf explained.

Of the four deceased KKB members, three have been identified by officers as EH (alias E), YK (alias LY), and M. In addition to neutralising the four individuals, the joint team also detained six other people at the location for further questioning.

Currently, the six detainees have been taken to the Yahukimo Police Station in Dekai. They are undergoing intensive interrogation to deepen the investigation into their identities, roles, and links to armed group networks in the region.