TPNPB-OPM Admit Killing Eight Miners in Yahukimo

Yahukimo, West Papua – The separatist group Tentara Pembebasan Nasional Papua Barat-Organisasi Papua Merdeka (TPNPB-OPM) says it has killed eight people in Korowai, Yahukimo Regency, in the Papua Pegunungan province, on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. The miners were described by the TPNPB as TNI spies.

The claim was issued in a press release received from TPNPB-OPM spokesman Sebby Sambom on Thursday, 21 May 2026. In the statement, the group said the action was retaliation for the deaths of two of their members in a military operation in Yahukimo last week.

The Commander of TPNPB Operation Kodap XVI Yahukimo, Major Kopitu Heluka, stated that the operation was conducted together with troops from Battalion Yamue led by Kumis Passe and Major Dejang Heluka.

‘This cleansing operation is retaliation for our troops who fell last week,’ Kopitu Heluka said in a statement received by the headquarters management of the TPNPB.

TPNPB claims the operation took place from 17 May to 20 May 2026. They say the eight victims were members of TNI-Polri who were disguising themselves as illegal gold miners in their operating area.

Major Kopitu Heluka also stated that Commander of Yamue Battalion, Dejang Heluka, was responsible for the operation. In his statement, Dejang Heluka said his troops were still at the location and challenged authorities to retrieve the victims’ bodies.

In addition, the TPNPB again issued threats against Indonesian security forces. In a message claimed to have been sent to the TPNPB central headquarters, Kopitu Heluka stated that they will continue to carry out operations as retaliation for the deaths of their members.