Peace Cartenz Task Force Captures Two Armed Separatist Members in Pegunungan Bintang
The arrest of Papua Merdeka armed separatist members by security personnel continues unabated. The Peace Cartenz Operation Task Force, along with the Pegunungan Bintang Police Resort, has reported the capture of EK (22 years old) and RS (23), two youths suspected of being members of the armed Papua Merdeka separatist group in Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Central Papua.
The two individuals are said to have been on the wanted list in connection with murder and violence cases, as well as the destruction of several public facilities in the area. The Head of Public Relations for the Peace Cartenz Operation Task Force, Senior Commissioner (Kombes) Yusuf Sutedjo, stated that the arrest of EK and RS took place on Sunday (19/4/2026). Both were apprehended in the Oksibil District of Pegunungan Bintang.
“The arrest is part of the Peace Cartenz Operation Task Force’s efforts to firmly address armed criminals who have been disrupting security stability in the Papua Mountains region,” said Kombes Yusuf in a message received by Republika in Jakarta on Monday (20/4/2026).
Kombes Yusuf explained that EK and RS are known members of the Kodap XXXV Bintang Timur armed group. EK has been on the police wanted list since December 2022. Yusuf stated that EK was the perpetrator of three murders targeting civilian migrants working as motorbike taxi drivers in Mangabibi Village, Oksebang District, in December 2022.
Police records also show EK as the perpetrator of arson attacks on several public facilities, including damage at the Rajawali Task Force Post in Mimin Village, Oksop District, in May 2025. According to Kombes Yusuf, EK also carried out a series of arson attacks throughout mid-January 2023 in Serambakon District.
A joint team from the Peace Cartenz Task Force and Pegunungan Bintang Police Resort arrested EK without resistance. Alongside EK, RS was also arrested, suspected of involvement in the attack and arson at the Rajawali Task Force Post in May 2025. “RS is also known to be a former convict in a violent theft case in September 2020,” said Kombes Yusuf.