JAYAPURA – The Damai Cartenz 2026 Task Force has recorded a significant increase in security disturbances in Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua, in early 2026. The situation has prompted authorities to gradually reinforce personnel while intensifying enforcement efforts against several priority individuals listed on the Most Wanted List (DPO).
Head of Operation Damai Cartenz 2026, Brigadier General of Police Faisal Ramadhani, during a press conference in Jayapura on Friday (20/2/2026), revealed that the trend of violence carried out by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) has risen sharply compared to the same period last year.
According to the data presented, from January to February 2025 there were three recorded security incidents. In contrast, during the same period in 2026, the number surged to 23 incidents by mid-February.
“There is a very significant situation, and we had anticipated this. The escalation increased following the escape of Kopi Tua Heluka from Wamena Correctional Facility on February 25, 2025. Since then, security disturbances in Yahukimo have continued to show an upward trend,” Brig. Gen. Faisal stated.
To limit the movement of armed groups, the Damai Cartenz Task Force has significantly increased personnel deployment since the beginning of the year. In January 2026, the number of personnel was raised from approximately 80 to 150. In February 2026, an additional 50 personnel were deployed, bringing the total force assigned to Yahukimo to around 250 personnel.
“This reinforcement is focused on preventing further attacks and pursuing group members who have been placed on our wanted list,” he emphasized.
From November 2025 to February 2026, the Damai Cartenz Task Force has secured 12 suspects. Most recently, a joint team apprehended two fugitives believed to have played significant roles in a series of violent incidents in Yahukimo, namely Homi Heluka and Simak Kipka.
Homi Heluka is known to have been involved in multiple criminal acts, including the 2022 shooting of a police officer on the Logpon road which resulted in the officer’s death; the burning of a Community Development Unit (Sat Binmas) vehicle on Paradiso Street on January 28, 2025; involvement in the killing of a gold panner in April 2025; the shooting of Indonesian Army personnel Sgt. Segar Mulyana on June 16, 2025; as well as aggravated assault against civilians and the shooting of a civilian named Suwono on February 12, 2026.
Meanwhile, Simak Kipka was arrested for his alleged involvement in the burning of a Mitsubishi Triton vehicle belonging to Village Head Almadi on February 18, 2026, near the Yahukimo Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) office.
Deputy Head of Operation Damai Cartenz 2026, Senior Commissioner of Police Adarma Sinaga, stressed that this success was the result of coordinated field operations and part of a sustained law enforcement strategy.
“Our measures are not only repressive but also preventive. The enforcement against priority fugitives is part of our effort to break the chain of violence and narrow the operational space of active networks,” he said.
He also assured that legal proceedings against the suspects would be conducted professionally and transparently.
“We ensure that all stages of the investigation are carried out in accordance with established procedures. This law enforcement effort is solely aimed at providing a sense of security to the public and maintaining regional stability,” he affirmed.
Both suspects are currently being held at the Yahukimo Police Resort (Polres Yahukimo) for intensive questioning and further investigation to uncover broader networks and potential involvement of other perpetrators in the series of violent acts.
