TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Armed Forces or TNI claimed to have successfully neutralized 18 members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) in a military operation in the Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The operation carried out by the Task Force (Satgas) Habema TNI lasted from 04:00 to 05:00 WIT (Eastern Indonesian Time), targeting five villages: Titigi, Ndugusiga, Jaindapa, Sugapa Lama, and Zanamba.
The Head of Information Center (Kapuspen) of TNI, Major General Kristomei Sianturi, said that this operation was a form of protection for the people of Papua.
"The TNI is not here to intimidate the people, but to protect them from the violence and intimidation carried out by armed groups. This operation is conducted in a measured, professional manner and prioritizes the safety of civilians. We will not allow the people of Papua to live in fear in their homeland," he said in an official statement on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
The operation was carried out after an armed group allegedly manipulated the presence of the TNI who came to provide health services, education, and support the construction of roads to Hitadipa. The TNI accused the OPM separatist group of using civilians as shields and spreading threats to the community.
The Head of Sugapa Village, Melianus Wandegau, stated that the community had been misled by the propaganda of the separatist group. "We were promised prosperity by them (OPM), but in reality, we were only made tools and shields against attacks. The people were used as shields to fight against the TNI," he said.
The TNI stated that the joint operation successfully cleared the Sugapa Lama and Kampung Bambu Kuning areas from the group led by Daniel Aibon Kogoya, Undius Kogoya, and Josua Waker. In addition to neutralizing 18 people, the TNI also seized evidence such as AK-47 firearms, makeshift weapons, ammunition, bows and arrows, the Morning Star flag, and communication equipment.
"All TNI personnel are safe and complete," said Lieutenant Colonel Inf Iwan Dwi Prihartono, Commanding Officer of the Media Task Force Koops Habema. He stated that troops are still stationed in several strategic sectors to anticipate the movements of the remaining groups that often commit violence against civilians.
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