TNI Action In Papua: Three OPM Members Killed, SS2 Weapons Seized

JAKARTA - The TNI, which is part of the Habema Task Force, succeeded in crippling three members of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) while carrying out operations in Tigilobak Village, Puncak Regency, Papua on Thursday, July 31.

In an official press release received quoted by ANTARA on Friday, August 1, it was explained that the three OPM members who died were Ado Wanimbo, Meni Wakerwa or Jumadon Wake and one other person who were still in the identification process.

"Ado Wanimbo is known as Danwil Ugimba Kodap VIII Kembu. His name is included in the Mimika Police DPO through a DPO/36/IV/2017/Reskrim letter dated April 30, 2018," said the Commander of the Habema Operations Command, Major General TNI Lucky Avianto in the press release.

Lucky explained that the pursuit operation carried out by Habema was a follow-up to the incident of the death of TNI Soldiers in an operation in the Ugimba Region in 2019. At that time, the OPM group carried one SS2 V4 firearm belonging to the TNI.

Based on this incident, Habema personnel chased the OPM group until there was finally a gun battle yesterday.

Lucky continued, from the hands of the three members, TNI personnel found one SS2 V4 firearm with the BF.CS 024739 weapon number along with the Trijicon SN: 923632 telescope, which was known to belong to TNI members who died in 2019 in the Ugimba sector.

In addition, officers also found one air rifle, three magazine (2 magnitude M16 and 1 magazine SS), 64 rounds of 5.56 mm caliber munitions, four units of cellphones, one wallet, two power banks, one gold and one flashlight.

"You also found personal documents: ID cards in the name of the Deputy Minister, Healthy Papua Cards, and cash amounting to Rp. 3,800,000, two nokens and 1 bag," Lucky explained.

Lucky emphasized that this operation was part of the TNI's efforts to safeguard state sovereignty and protect the public from separatist groups.

"This is a symbol of the TNI's determination in maintaining the honor of soldiers and state sovereignty, as well as returning state-owned weapons that have been in the hands of separatist groups," concluded Lucky.