TNI Evacuates Resident from OPM-Prone Area in Papua

The TNI Habema Command evacuated a resident from an area prone to activity by the Free Papua Movement (OPM) on Sunday (9/8).

In an official press release received in Jakarta on Monday, it was explained that the evacuation took place while Habema Command personnel were patrolling in Ugimba District, Central Papua.

Head of Public Relations for TNI Habema Command, Lieutenant Colonel Inf Wirya Arthadiguna, explained that the resident was discovered while TNI personnel were conducting a patrol in the Ugimba area.

The resident, he continued, is believed to have been left behind by a group of other residents who had already fled to safety to avoid the OPM.

Due to the situation, Habema Command personnel called in a helicopter to evacuate the resident.

“The humanitarian evacuation process was carried out using two Bell helicopters on Sunday (9/8) from 12.25 to 12.48 WIT,” Wirya explained.

Wirya added that the resident was taken to Sugapa District to receive further security.

“Upon arrival in Sugapa District, the resident was handed over to Mr Misael Sondegau, Head of the Conflict Handling Team of Intan Jaya Regency, for further assistance,” he said.

Wirya explained that this activity demonstrates the strong commitment of the TNI to ensuring the safety of residents in Papua.

He affirmed that the TNI Habema Command will continue to work to ensure that Papuan residents are protected from acts of violence by the OPM separatist group.