OPM Returns To Action, Persecution Of Truck Drivers To Death In Papua Mountains

OPM burning trucks in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Mountains. (ANTARA)

JAYAPURA - Head of Operations for the Cartenz Peace Task Force Brigadier General Faizal Rahmadani said the Free Papua Organization (OPM) killed a driver and burned his truck in Masi Village, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Mountains.

The incident that occurred on Wednesday, July 31, began when victim Abdul Muzakir (32 years) who was driving a truck was about to pick up wood in Masi Village, while carrying 16 villagers.

"Suddenly six OPM people appeared, one of whom was carrying a long-barreled weapon suspected of being the SS2 type," said Head of the Cartenz Peace Task Force Brigadier General Faizal Rahmadani in a statement on Thursday.

According to him, when he saw OPM members, the victim then turned the truck back but fell and the engine turned off so that it got down and ran with his colleague Neri Ommu (witness).

OPM members who saw the victim run then chased and tortured him to death, while his colleague Neri Ommu managed to escape and reported the incident.

After receiving the report, an evacuation was carried out of the victim's body and took him to Dekai Hospital, while the truck driven by the victim had been burned down.

"The victim's body will be evacuated to Lombok, to be buried in his hometown," explained Brigadier General Pol Faizal.

Previously, the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) or the Free Papuan Spatist Organization (OPM) continued to spread terror in Papua. Specifically for school burning, this group of separatists has been recorded 12 times since 2023 to 2024.

Kasatgas Humas Operasi Damai Cartenz-2024 Kombes Bayu Suseno detailed the school burning action carried out by OPM. First, SMK Negeri 1 and opened fire on a cargo plane that was about to land at Oksibil Airport, Bintang Mountains, Papua.