Yahukimo – The joint team of the Cartenz-2026 Peace Operation Task Force together with the Yahukimo Police and the 3rd Company of the B Battalion Pioneer of the Papuan Satbrimobda carried out a law enforcement operation against the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) Kodap XVI Yahukimo Battalion Yamue led by DPO Ronal Heluka in the KM 4 Logpon area, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Friday (7/17/2026) around 05.45 WIT.
In the implementation of the operation, the joint team received resistance from the armed group so that the officers took firm and measured action in accordance with the applicable law.
From the operation, three members of KKB were declared dead. Based on the identification results, the three of them are Roni Rubis, Mustache Passae, and Orgenes Bayage which are part of KKB Kodap XVI Yahukimo Battalion Yamue.
This operation is a follow-up from the results of the investigation and intelligence information about the presence of an armed group led by DPO Ronal Heluka in the Logpon area, KM 4, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency.
Head of Public Relations of Cartenz-2026 Peace Operation, Chief Commissioner of Police Yusuf Sutejo, S.I.K., M.T., when met by the media (17/7), explained that the operation was carried out based on the results of a gradual investigation into the activities of KKB Kodap XVI Yahukimo Battalion Yamue.
“Based on the results of the investigation, the group is suspected of using a stopover house in the Logpon area, KM 4, Dekai District, as an activity location. After all information is verified and analyzed, the joint team carries out an operation to prevent the occurrence of armed violence that has the potential to threaten the safety of the community,” said the Head of Public Relations.
According to him, before the operation was carried out, officers had conducted an intensive investigation into the group that was suspected of being involved in various acts of armed violence in Papua since 2022. A number of events that are suspected to involve the group include:
- The murder of Kodim 1715/Yahukimo personnel, the late Pratu Eka Yohan Kaize, on December 3, 2022.
- The shooting of a patrol car of the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force at KM 6 Dekai on May 26, 2023.
- The burning of Satbinmas Polres Yahukimo official vehicle on January 28, 2025.
- Severe persecution of Ujang Supriayatna on June 17, 2025.
- The murder of the late Indra Guru Wardana accompanied by a house burning in Ulakin Village, Asmat Regency, on September 19, 2025.
- Severe persecution of Suwono on February 12, 2026.
- The murder of seven miners in Kampung Kawe, Awimbon District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, on May 19, 2026.
- Shooting contact with TNI personnel accompanied by building burning in Manggelum District, Boven Digoel Regency, on June 4, 2026.
The series of alleged criminal acts became part of the investigation and development process carried out by the officers and became the basis for the implementation of law enforcement operations against the group.
From the scene, the joint team secured a number of evidences, namely three firearms, 43 5.56 mm caliber ammunition, two axes, two sharp weapons in the form of long knives, one unit of handy talky (HT) Icom, one weapon silencer, seven units of mobile phones of various brands, and a number of other evidence.
“All of the evidence will be an important part of the investigation process to uncover this armed group network thoroughly,” said the Head of Public Relations.
The three bodies have been evacuated to the morgue of the Dekai Hospital. Meanwhile, all evidence has been secured at the Yahukimo Police Criminal Investigation Unit for the sake of investigation.
In addition to securing the evidence, the officer also secured four people with the initials OH, SM, MM, and LM to be asked for further information. Investigators are still delving into their roles and connections with armed groups that are the target of the operation.
The Head of Public Relations added, during the implementation of the Cartenz-2026 Peace Operation in the Yahukimo area, officers have also secured four other people who are related to KKB Kodap XVI Yahukimo Battalion Yamue, namely HH, KG, EH, and AS. All of them are currently still undergoing legal proceedings in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws and regulations.
“We emphasize that this law enforcement is aimed at perpetrators of armed crimes that threaten the safety of the community and officers, not to the civil society. All actions are carried out professionally, proportionally, and in accordance with the provisions of the applicable law,” said the Public Relations Task Force.
Head of Cartenz-2026 Peace Operation, Inspector General of Police. Faizal Ramadhani, S.Sos., S.I.K., M.H., emphasized that the action was part of law enforcement efforts against armed groups who were suspected of being involved in various violent acts in the Yahukimo area and its surroundings.
“This operation was carried out based on the results of the investigation and information obtained by officers in the field. All actions are carried out professionally, proportionally, and in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws. Evidence that has been successfully secured will be an important part of the investigation process to uncover the network of armed groups thoroughly,” said Kaops.
Meanwhile, Deputy Head of Peace Operations Cartenz-2026, Chief Commissioner of Police Adarma Sinaga, S.I.K., M.Hum., said that the results of the operation will continue to be developed to trace the network of armed groups and their weapons sources.
“Investigators will continue to investigate the connection of the perpetrators, the origin of the weapons, and the network that is suspected to be still operating. We also urge the public to remain calm, not easily affected by information that has not been verified, and immediately convey information to the officers if they know things that can help the law enforcement process,” said Wakaops.
The Cartenz-2026 Peace Operation Task Force emphasized that law enforcement efforts in Papua are aimed at every criminal who uses violence and firearms to threaten the safety of the public and officers.
Until now, investigators are still continuing to develop investigations, conducting ballistic checks on the secured firearms, and delving into all evidence to thoroughly uncover the network of the armed criminal group.
