Habema Operations Command ready to evacuate eight civilian corpses killed by the TPNPB-OPM Kodap XVI

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Commander of the Habema Operations Command (Pangkoops Habema), Major General TNI Yudha Airlangga, has confirmed that all personnel and main weapon systems (alutsista) are prepared to evacuate eight civilians who were murdered by the armed separatist group TPNPB-OPM, Kodap XVI. This assurance followed Yudha’s direct inspection of the troops, from equipment readiness to physical preparedness. “All personnel and supporting alutsista are ready to execute the evacuation to the fullest while taking into account security factors, terrain conditions, and the safety of all on the ground,” Yudha said in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday. He noted that physical readiness and equipment are crucial as troops will undertake evacuation in a terrain that is relatively difficult to access, namely in the Korowai and Yahukimo regions. In addition to challenging terrain, extreme weather could slow the movement to the evacuation site. Nevertheless, Yudha is confident that with all preparations, his unit will be able to traverse the terrain. During the inspection, he also took the opportunity to advise soldiers to strengthen the evacuation process strategy. However, when ANTARA asked when the evacuation would begin, Koops Habema could not provide further details. It is worth noting that eight civilian gold miners were killed by the OPM in the Korowai area, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan, on Wednesday (20/5). The Head of Public Information Koops TNI Habema, Lieutenant Colonel Inf M. Wirya Arthadiguna, explained that the eight civilians were killed by the OPM because they were accused of being spies for security forces. “The eight people were not security personnel as alleged by the OPM, but civilians who were engaged in gold mining activities in the area,” he said in a Jakarta-dated statement on Thursday (21/5). Wirya explained that the perpetrators were members of the TPNPB-OPM Kodap XVI Yahukimo led by Major Kopitua Heluka, along with troops from Yamue Battalion under the command of Major Dejang Heluka. After killing the eight civilians, the OPM group reportedly fled to another area. To date, Koops Habema is continuing to hunt the perpetrators who are still at large. At the same time, Koops Habema personnel will increase patrols and security in Yahukimo to ensure the safety of local residents.