Yahukimo Heats Up! Eight Gold Miners Killed in OPM Massacre, Police Capture KKB Leader
Papua, VIVA – The security situation in Yahukimo Regency, Highlands of Papua, has again heated up. Amid reports of the deaths of eight gold miners allegedly slaughtered by the Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM), joint forces also detained a leading figure of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) Kodap XVI Yahukimo identified as YB.
YB was arrested by the Peaceful Cartenz Operation Task Force in the Nop Goliat Dekai Airport Waiting Room on Monday, 18 May 2026 around 15:42 Western Indonesia Time (WIT). The arrest was conducted in a law enforcement operation in the Yahukimo region.
After the arrest, officers conducted a search in a house in the Kali Merah area, Dekai City, Tuesday, 19 May 2026 around 16:50 WIT. From the location, police found various evidences ranging from ammunition to sharp weapons.
“Evidence secured includes ammunition calibres 5.56 mm, 9 mm, and .38, several shell casings, a sickle knife, parang, axe, iron-made slingshot, and a number of components such as triggers, iron triggers, handgrips, and communications equipment,” said the Head of Operation Damai Cartenz, Police Inspector General Faizal Ramadhani, on Thursday, 21 May 2026.
Not only that, officers also found several components suspected to be related to weapon assembly. In the search, police also secured a man with initials RK alias KK, aged 27, believed to be a member of the KNPB Yahukimo region.
Police suspect the ammunition found at YB’s house was entrusted by the HSSBI group and is believed to be used to support actions disturbing security by the KKB in Yahukimo.
“From the results of the investigation, YB is suspected of being involved with several members of the HSSBI group in various acts of violence in the area, including alleged production of a video of a statement of stance following the shooting of civilians’ vehicles at the entrance road to Yahukimo Catholic Church in April 2026,” he said.
Igp Faizal emphasised that the action against YB is the result of the authorities’ investigative development in Yahukimo. At present, all findings are still being studied for further investigative purposes.
“We are committed to upholding the law in a professional, measured, and procedure-compliant manner against every party suspected of involvement in security-disturbing actions that disturb the public,” he said.
In relation to the case, YB is charged under Articles 306 and 307 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Penal Code in relation to possession of weapons and ammunition without a permit. Police are also examining the possible application of other articles related to collusion or involvement in an armed group. YB faces a maximum imprisonment of 15 years.