OPM Kill Eight Gold Miners in Yahukimo, Habema TNI Military Operations Command Hunts Perpetrators

Yahukimo, Republic of Indonesia — The Habema Military Operations Command (Koops TNI Habema) is preparing evacuation steps for victims of a murder reportedly carried out by the armed group TPNPB-OPM Kodap XVI Yahukimo in the Korowai district, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province, on Thursday, 21 May 2026. According to information gathered, the killings occurred on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. The suspects are led by Major Kopitua Heluka of the TPNPB-OPM Kodap XVI Yahukimo, together with troops of Battalion Yamue under command of Major Dejang Heluka. They attacked eight people who were gold miners in the Korowai area. Field information shows that the OPM accuses the victims of being security personnel in disguise. However, Koops TNI Habema states that all victims were civilians engaged in gold mining at the time. Head of Public Information (Kapen) Koops TNI Habema, Lieutenant Colonel Inf M Wirya Arthadiguna, explained that as a follow-up, authorities have prepared personnel and helicopter support to speed up the evacuation of victims from the scene. In addition, security forces will simultaneously pursue the perpetrators. Wirya stressed that violence against civilians cannot be justified. ‘Eight of the individuals were not security personnel as claimed by the OPM Kodap XVI Yahukimo; they were civilians engaged in gold mining in the area,’ he said in a press release, Thursday, 21 May 2026.