Habema Joint Command finds OPM weapon in a cave in Maybrat

The Indonesian military’s Habema Joint Command has found a firearm belonging to a member of the Free Papua Organisation (OPM) in a cave in Maybrat regency, Southwest Papua, on Friday (16 October).

An official press release from the command, received in Jakarta on Saturday, said the weapon was a Caracal firearm, accompanied by 17 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition.

“Previously, the weapon was seized by the OPM Kodap IV/Sorong Raya armed group during an attack on personnel from the Marine Infantry Battalion 9 task force in the Sory area on 22 March 2026,” Habema Joint Command chief Brigadier General Riyanto said in the release.

He said the weapon was found following questioning of Zakarias Fatem, deputy commander of the OPM’s Kodap IV Sorong Raya, who was arrested on Wednesday (14 October). Acting on the information obtained, personnel searched several locations before finding the firearm.

Riyanto added that his personnel were still searching for a K3 Daewoo firearm, which initial information indicated was also hidden in Maybrat.

He said Habema personnel would continue searching for weapons to help ensure the safety of the people of Papua.