Man Killed in Machete Attack While Unloading Food Supplies in Yahukimo; Armed Group Suspected

A 46-year-old man identified by the initial A was killed in a machete attack in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan. The man, who was from Makassar, South Sulawesi, was attacked while unloading food supplies at a shop-house.

“Resident A died after being attacked with a dagger,” said Kombes Yusuf Sutejo, head of the public relations task force for the 2026 Damai Cartenz Operation, as quoted by detikSulsel on Tuesday (13 October 2026).

The incident took place at the Blok B shop-house complex in Dekai District, Yahukimo, at around 6.15pm local time on Sunday (11 October). Yusuf said the victim had been helping a witness unload goods from a lorry at the site.

“Before the incident, victim A had helped unload food supplies from a lorry. After that, a witness went into the shop-house to organise the goods that had been unloaded,” Yusuf said.

When the witness came back outside, the victim was lying on the ground. He was taken to Dekai Regional General Hospital for medical treatment.

Yusuf added that members of an armed criminal group were suspected of being involved in the killing. Police are still investigating the case.

“There is a suspicion that the Kodap XVI Yahukimo armed criminal group, led by Kopitua Heluka, was involved in this series of violent acts. This suspicion is still being examined,” Yusuf added.