TNI Task Force Under Fire While Hunting OPM Members in Nduga, Papua

The TNI Command Operations (Koops) Habema Task Force was involved in an armed clash with the TPNPB-OPM Kodap III Ndugama Derakma in Nduga Regency, Papua Highlands, on Monday (21/9).

Lieutenant General Lucky Avianto, Commander of the III Regional Defence Joint Command (Pangogawilhan III), stated that the skirmish occurred as TNI personnel entered the forest to hunt members of the TPNPB-OPM Kodap III Ndugama Derakma, led by Egianus Kogoya.

“They showered our troops with gunfire, but thankfully, our troops are safe and have successfully pushed their group further away from residential areas and socio-economic centres,” he said in a written statement, as quoted from Antara.

Lucky noted that the TPNPB-OPM group frequently uses the forest as a place of escape and hiding after spreading terror in local settlements.

“I can assure you that it is only a matter of time before we find and capture these separatists, dead or alive, given the strong solidarity between the TNI and Police in hunting TPNPB-OPM, as well as the full support from regional leadership (forkopimda) and the Papuan community,” he said.

Lucky urged all TPNPB-OPM members to immediately lay down their weapons and surrender. He expressed his desire for them to return to the fold of the nation and work alongside the community to build Papua.

“Remember that all TNI personnel under the control of Kogabwilhan III will take firm action based on applicable laws and regulations, where the Rules of Engagement (ROE) are always prioritised to ensure all TNI actions remain professional and uphold the law and human rights,” he added.

Lucky ensured that the TNI Task Force would never hesitate to take firm and measured action when faced with urgent situations.

Recently, several incidents of attacks on civilians by suspected OPM members have occurred in Papua. On Wednesday (9/9), three employees of the Jayawijaya Regency Agriculture Office were killed after being shot in Muliama, Papua Highlands. Furthermore, on Tuesday (15/9), an OPM member was reported to have burnt a driver and his vehicle on the route from Wamena to Mbua, Papua Highlands.