Indonesian Military Successfully Evacuates Victim of OPM Shooting from 50-Metre Ravine in Yahukimo
Personnel from Koops TNI Habema have successfully evacuated one of the three victims of a shooting allegedly carried out by the armed group Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM), led by Kopitua Heluka, in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands. The evacuated victim is Teina Alya, a resident of Una Ukam, who was previously reported as one of the casualties in a shooting incident on the Trans Papua Highway, Seradala District, Yahukimo Regency, on Monday, 20 July 2026.
The Head of Information for Koops TNI Habema, Lieutenant Colonel Infantry M. Wirya Arthadiguna, stated that the evacuation process was initiated after the TNI received a direct request from the victim’s family. “We wish to convey that the victim, Teina Alya, from Una Ukam, was a civilian who was one of the three victims of the shooting by the OPM Kodap XVI/Yahukemo group,” Wirya said in a statement on Saturday, 1 August 2026.
According to him, the request for evacuation was submitted by the Head of the Una Ukam Tribe and Head of the Bomale District, Bison Male, so that the body could be promptly buried by the family. “Mr Bison Male, representing the family of the late Teina Alya, submitted a request for evacuation assistance to the TNI through the Yahukimo Military District Command (Kodim) as the family intends to proceed with the burial immediately.”
The TNI team conducted a sweep of the Kali Kolof landslide area and eventually located the victim’s body at the bottom of a ravine. Wirya revealed that the location where the body was found is approximately 100 metres from the shooting site, at a depth of about 50 metres. This condition, he noted, suggests a suspected attempt to conceal the victim’s remains. “This indicates an attempt by the OPM group to dispose of the body. The terrain faced was not easy; the body was located at the base of a landslide with steep cliffs, meaning it could only be reached using vertical rescue or rappelling techniques.”
Before the evacuation process commenced, TNI personnel first secured strategic points around the location to anticipate potential security disturbances. “Before the evacuation was carried out, personnel first secured high ground around the location to ensure the situation was completely safe from potential threats,” he added.