Indonesian Forces Arrest Two Armed Separatists in Papua

In a significant operation aimed at restoring stability in the restive Papua region, Indonesian security forces have successfully apprehended two individuals believed to be members of the armed separatist group, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB). The joint operation, conducted by the Damai Cartenz Task Force and the Pegunungan Bintang Police, led to the capture of EK (22) and RS (23) in the Oksibil District. These arrests are part of a broader effort to curb the activities of armed groups that have been destabilizing the region through violence and the destruction of infrastructure. According to Kombes Yusuf Sutedjo, the Head of Public Relations for the Damai Cartenz Operation, EK has been a person of interest since December 2022, with alleged involvement in multiple murders of civilian motorcycle taxi drivers and the burning of public facilities, including a security post and numerous buildings in January 2023. RS, who was arrested alongside EK, is also suspected of involvement in the attack on the Rajawali Post in May 2025 and has a prior conviction for theft with violence in September 2020. The Indonesian authorities view these arrests as a crucial step in their mission to dismantle armed criminal groups and ensure the safety and security of the Papuan people. The operation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the government in maintaining order and addressing the complex security situation in Papua.

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The arrest is part of the Damai Cartenz Task Force's efforts to strictly crack down on perpetrators of armed crime who have been disturbing the security stability in the Papua Mountains region.