TNI Prepares Troops and Weapons Systems for Evacuation of Eight Gold Miners Killed by OPM

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Indonesian Military’s Habema Operational Command is prepared to deploy troops to evacuate eight gold diggers who were killed, allegedly by TPNPB-OPM Kodap XVI Yahukimo, in the Korowai area, Boven Digoel Regency, South Papua. The Commander of Habema Operational Command Major General Yudha Airlangga stated that Habema also prepared communications equipment and operational support for the evacuation in the inland Korowai area. ‘We ensure all personnel and supporting weapons systems are ready to carry out the evacuation to the maximum extent while considering security factors, terrain conditions, and the safety of all parties on the ground,’ Yudha said in a press release on Friday (22/5/2025). Yudha noted that the terrain in Korowai is heavy because it is inland with limited access and unpredictable weather. In addition to planning the evacuation, joint TNI personnel also increased patrols and monitoring at several high-risk points in Yahukimo to anticipate further security disturbances. Yudha also checked the readiness of the evacuation on Friday morning. Yudha asked all soldiers to maintain professionalism, vigilance, and safety while on duty. ‘I am proud of the readiness and spirit of all personnel. Do not let your guard down, continue to carry out tasks professionally, in a measured manner, and prioritise security and safety in every movement on the ground,’ he said. In a five-minute video received by Kompas.com, Major Kopitua Heluka, as Commander of Operations Kodap XVI Yahukimo, said that the eight people shot were intelligence officers who were undercover to surveil OPM movements in Yahukimo. ‘TPNPB OPM forces have shot dead eight TNI-Polri members who were disguising as illegal gold diggers in Korowai,’ Kopitua Heluka said in a video received on Wednesday (20/5/2026) night. ‘This is our retaliation for the shooting by authorities against two of our members in Yahukimo on Sunday yesterday. We are also responsible for this shooting,’ Kopitua Heluka added.