Taskforce Operasi Damai Cartenz 2026 arrests KKB Operations Commander at Yahukimo

Jayapura — The Peace Operations Cartenz 2026 Taskforce has arrested Philip Kobak, also known as Nenak Kobak, a member of the armed criminal group (KKB) serving as Operations Commander of Kimbusa Company in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan.

The arrest was conducted by the Taskforce Legal and Prosecution Unit (Gakkum) on Saturday, 7 March at approximately 16:44 WIT near the GIDI Church at Kali Brasa, Dekai, Yahukimo Regency.

Kombes Yusuf Sutejo, Head of Public Relations for the Peace Operations Cartenz, stated on Monday that the arrest of KKB member Philip Kobak was made following surveillance, pursuit and sweep operations conducted by taskforce personnel.

The arrest originated from target scanning conducted by the Gakkum unit at approximately 15:30 WIT, with the target detected at the junction of Jalan Jhon Banua, Dekai at 16:15 WIT. The team then pursued the suspect towards the Kali Brasa Church area. Upon realising law enforcement was present, the suspect immediately fled towards the forest but was successfully apprehended.

On Sunday, 8 March, the team continued investigations by conducting searches of the suspect’s residence and several other houses suspected of being hideouts for armed criminal groups in the Yahukimo area.

Searches at the suspect’s house located on Jalan Gunung, Kampung Tomon 2, Dekai, yielded several pieces of evidence, including four rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, two rounds of 9 mm ammunition, sharpened iron, bags and noken (traditional woven bags), personal documents belonging to the suspect, a bow and 31 arrows, four machetes, three axes, one curved blade, two kitchen knives, one 5.56 mm projectile, and 45 spent cartridges of 7.62 mm and 5.56 mm ammunition.

Philip Kobak, serving as Operations Commander of Kimbusa Company in Yahukimo, is alleged to have played a role in several violent incidents, including the stabbing of Muhammad Syarif on 11 January 2026 and the burning of SMK Negeri 2 Dekai on 14 February.

“Investigators are continuing to conduct deeper inquiries to establish the suspect’s involvement in several other incidents,” said Kombes Yusuf.