PKH Task Force and TNI Crack Down on Illegal Mining in Central Papua Forest Area

The Satuan Tugas Penegakan Hukum (PKH Task Force) Korwil Nabire carried out the enforcement of illegal gold mining activities without permits (PETI) in the forest areas of Siriwo and Uwapa, Nabire Regency, Central Papua Province. The operation, which began in the early hours of Monday (4 May 2026) WIT, was led by Commander of Satgas Halilintar, Brigadier General Edwin Apria Chandra. The troops targeted Siriwo District and Uwapa District as part of law enforcement and protection of forest areas from illegal mining activities. TNI’s Kapuspen, Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, explained that during the field operation, the PKH Task Force faced quite difficult terrain with drizzling weather conditions in the forest area that had been damaged by illegal mining activities. “Nevertheless, the task force personnel continued the enforcement firmly and measuredly until they successfully regained control of the forest area spanning more than 200 hectares,” said Aulia in a press release in Jakarta on Thursday (7 May 2026). In addition to regulating the illegal mining area, Aulia said, the PKH Task Force also succeeded in seizing 10 units of heavy equipment. Consisting of six excavator units and four loader units used to support illegal mining activities. According to Aulia, the officers also secured a number of heavy equipment operators and mine supervisors present at the location to undergo further processes. “Subsequently, the heavy equipment was secured and its operations frozen, and the Task Force installed signs as markers of control at locations easily visible to the public and the miners,” Aulia stated.