TNI Soldier Briefly Shot During OPM Victim Evacuation

Koops TNI Habema evacuating two bodies in Yahukimo, Papua, Thursday (23/7/2026) (ANTARA/Ho-Pen Koops Habema)

JAKARTA - Pangkoops TNIHabemaMayjen TNIYudha Airlanggamengatakan personelnyasempat terlibat baku tembak dengan anggotaOPM saat proses evakuasi tiga jenazah warga sipil yang ditembak organisasi tersebutdi JalanTransPapua, DistrikSeradala, Kabupaten Yahukimo.

The evacuation process was carried out on Thursday (23/7).

"At the time the evacuation team was moving towards the location of the body, the presence of the OPM was detected and there was a shootout with the group who were around the area of the incident," said Yudha as reported by ANTARA, Friday, July 24.

However, according to him, the Koops TNI Habema personnel still prioritize the safety of all team members and ensure that the evacuation process can continue.

Yudha explained that when he arrived at the location, the position of the body had shifted not far from the murder location. There the personnel only found two bodies.

"Two of the victims' bodies were taken to Dekai Hospital to undergo the identification process before being handed over to the family, while one woman from the Unaukam Tribe is still in the process of being searched by the joint team," he said.

Along with the search process for the bodies, Yudha ensured that his troops would continue to tighten security in the area to maintain the safety of civilians living around the location.

"Protection of the community will always be the top priority in every task," he said.

It is known that Koops TNI Habema is chasing OPM members who killed three civilians. The civilians who were killed on Monday (21/7) consisted of a married couple and a woman from the Unaukam Tribe.

"Following up on this incident, the Koops TNI Habema continues to coordinate with related authorities to conduct investigations, prosecutions, and law enforcement against the perpetrators in accordance with applicable regulations," said the Head of Information Koops, Lieutenant Colonel (Inf.) Wirya Arthadiguna.

Wirya said the persecution was allegedly carried out by the OPM group led by Kopitua Heluka (Danops Kodap Yahukimo).

Information about the heinous act, continued Wirya, was also published by OPM through the Management of the Central Headquarters of the National Liberation Army of West Papua (TPNPB).

"In the information they claimed to be responsible for the shooting that resulted in three civilians being killed," said Wirya.

Until now, his party has not been able to provide more detailed information regarding the chronology of the persecution. Koops Habema, continued Wirya, is still focused on finding information about the whereabouts of the perpetrator.