In brief
The Indonesian Armed Forces seized seven firearms during a firefight with suspected members of the Free Papua Movement in the Kali Senami area of the Dekai district, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Pegunungan. Brig.-Gen. Riyanto said the weapons were recovered from a temporary hideout and taken to headquarters for inspection. The operation is part of a wider effort to curb separatist activity and protect civilians.
In the rain‑shrouded Kali Senami area of the Dekai district, soldiers of the Indonesian Army seized two handguns and five long‑barrel firearms from suspected members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) after a firefight that left both sides wounded. The confrontation took place while a patrol was conducting routine surveillance near a what the army suspected was a temporary hideout.
Brig. Gen. Riyanto, commander of the TNI Habema operations, said the clash began when the patrol approached the site and came into contact with OPM fighters. An exchange of gunfire broke out, after which Army troops were able to seize the weapons. The joint team also recovered ammunition, sighting equipment, binoculars and other gear. The types and conditions of the firearms are still being identified.
"Every firearm secured means a reduced potential threat to human safety. Soldiers must remain firm, professional, and measured in carrying out their duties, while prioritizing the protection of the public," said Riyanto.
The seized weapons have been transported to TNI headquarters for further examination. Riyanto emphasized that the operation forms part of the army’s broader campaign to restrict the movement of armed separatist groups and safeguard residents of Papua Pegunungan.
Local officials in Yahukimo Regency have thanked the military for its actions, noting that the operation helps ensure that civilians can carry out their daily activities without fear. OPM representatives have not issued a statement following the incident, and no casualties have been reported on either side.
Military spokespeople said the operation was precautionary and aimed at supporting lasting peace in the region. They also highlighted that the confiscated weapons are a tangible measure to reduce the potential for further violence.
The incident occurred in the backdrop of ongoing tensions between the Indonesian state and separatist groups in Papua. While the army maintains that it is conducting operations to maintain security, the Free Papua Movement continues to claim it is fighting for independence. This latest confrontation underscores the fragile security situation surrounding the region’s communities.
For now, the Army has not disclosed how many separate hideouts may have been targeted in this sweep, but officials indicate that the Kali Senami operation is one among several patrols underway in the remote highlands of the western Papua province.
