Jayapura — Ongoing efforts by the Task Force Operation Peace Cartenz to suppress acts of violence in Papua have once again produced a significant result. On Saturday (22/11/2025) at around 12:20 WIT, personnel successfully apprehended a long-wanted fugitive, Maam Taplo, a member of the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) Kodap XV Ngalum Kupel, in the Arso Swakarsa area, Keerom Regency.
The arrest was carried out by the joint team of the Task Force Operation Peace Cartenz and Keerom District Police after conducting intensive field investigation. Maam Taplo had been listed as a fugitive under warrant number DPO/22/X/2021/Dit Reskrimum and Police Report LP/17/IX/2021/Papua/Res Peg Bintang for his direct involvement in the brutal attack on health workers in Kiwirok on 13 September 2021.
The operation was executed without resistance. Based on the investigation, the fugitive had left Kiwirok and headed to Jayapura in August 2025, claiming to seek medical treatment at Vanimo Hospital in Papua New Guinea using a referral letter from Kiwirok Community Health Center.
Following his arrest, Maam Taplo was immediately transported to the Papua Regional Police Headquarters for further examination by the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation.
Involvement in the Kiwirok Health Workers Attack
Maam Taplo was directly involved in the violent attack that caused both fatal and non-fatal casualties among health workers in Kiwirok.
Fatal Victim:
• Gabriella Meilani (sustained severe slash wounds and stab injuries)
Injured Victims (10 people):
• dr. Restu Pamangi (fractured arm)
• Siti Khotijah
• Martinus Deni Satya
• Lukas Luji (bruises)
• Emanuel Abi (arrow wound)
• Patra (bruises)
• Katrianti Tandiala (stab wounds and facial bruises)
• Christina Sampe Tonapa (stab wounds on multiple parts of the body)
• Marcelinus Ola Atanila (bruises)
• Gerald Sokoy
The fugitive also took part in the burning of public facilities in Kiwirok, including Bank Papua, the Community Health Center, the market, health staff housing, and the District Office.
Additionally, he was involved in a series of violent acts such as shootings at the Kiwirok Airstrip, attacks on the Brimob Regiment III Post, assaults on personnel of the Task Force Battalion Yonif 431/SSP at the Okbibab Post, and an armed clash with personnel of Yonif PR 431/SSP at the Kiwirok Post that resulted in the death of Private Beryl Kholif A.R.
Statements from Operation Leaders
Head of Peace Operation Cartenz, Brigadier General of Police Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, S.Sos., S.I.K., M.H., expressed appreciation for the team’s achievement in arresting one of the perpetrators of the Kiwirok humanitarian attack.
“This arrest is an important step in upholding the law and delivering justice to the victims. A perpetrator with such a record of violence must be held accountable for all his actions.”
Meanwhile, the Deputy Head of Operation, Chief Commissioner of Police Adarma Sinaga, S.I.K., M.Hum., affirmed the commitment to pursue remaining members of the armed group.
“We continue to monitor the movement of the KKB network and ensure the safety of the public. Law enforcement against the perpetrators of violence will be carried out without compromise.”
