YAHUKIMO – A quiet morning in the remote highlands of Yahukimo suddenly turned tense when gunshots rang out along the KM 7 stretch of road in Maroku Village on Sunday (February 1, 2026) at around 7:30 a.m. WIT. A pickup truck carrying three civilians came under fire from unidentified individuals.
The vehicle was driven by Abdul Kadir (42), accompanied by Peres Kusa (23) and Luktar Pasomba (46). As they passed the area, they reportedly saw a group of armed individuals on the left side of the road. Moments later, several gunshots were heard directed toward their vehicle.
In a state of panic, Abdul Kadir immediately sped away from the scene toward Logpon Port. One of the passengers briefly jumped into nearby bushes to take cover before rejoining the others once the situation was considered safe. Fortunately, no one was injured or killed in the incident. An initial inspection also found no bullet marks on the vehicle.
The report was swiftly responded to by joint personnel from the Damai Cartenz Operation Task Force 2026 and the Yahukimo Police. Officers conducted a sweep of the area, secured the roadway, and questioned the victims to ensure the situation remained under control.
Head of the Damai Cartenz Operation 2026, Brig. Gen. Pol. Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, emphasized that public safety remains the top priority in every operational step.
“We do not want people to live in fear while carrying out their daily activities. As soon as the report came in, our personnel moved quickly to secure the route and ensure the civilians were safe. This is our commitment to always be present and provide a sense of security,” he said.
He added that authorities are still investigating the possible involvement of an armed criminal group previously known to be active around the Logpon and KM 7 areas.
Meanwhile, Deputy Head of the Damai Cartenz Operation 2026, Sr. Comr. Pol. Adarma Sinaga, urged the public to remain alert but not panic.
“We are increasing patrols and security at vulnerable points. People can continue their activities as usual, but please report immediately if you notice anything suspicious. Even the smallest piece of information can help prevent similar incidents,” Adarma stated.
The incident serves as a reminder that security challenges in Papua’s mountainous regions remain real. However, the swift response of security personnel has helped restore calm among residents. Community activities along the route have gradually returned to normal, while authorities continue their investigation and maintain heightened security measures.
Through rapid action and a humanitarian approach, the Damai Cartenz Operation 2026 reaffirms its commitment to keeping Papua safe, ensuring that residents can go about their daily lives without fear.
