The survivors had hidden in the forest after the attack by a separatist armed group (KKB) that killed two of their companions on Sunday (September 21), Papua police said on Saturday.
“Joint TNI/Polri personnel evacuated the four survivors who ran and hid in the Bingki forest after the KKB attack that killed two panners,” said Papua Police Spokesperson Senior Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito.
The rescued miners were identified as Berty, Bakri Laode, Febri, and Tarim Baroba. They were taken to the Yahukimo District Police headquarters in Dekai for questioning and medical checks.
During the evacuation, police said the rescue team came under fire from KKB members. A brief exchange followed, but there were no casualties. The survivors were found near Kali Kabur at around 06:30 a.m. local time.
Earlier, five gold panners were reported killed in two separate incidents involving the same group. The victims were identified as Desem Dominggus, Marselinus Manek, Roberto, Yunus, and Unu.
“Information about the victims came from fellow panners who escaped from the remote mining site,” Cahyo said.
The attacks took place on Sunday (September 21) and Monday (September 22) at two different locations — the first in Bingki and the second near Kali I.
Evacuation of the five bodies has been delayed due to continued gunfire and heavy rain since Tuesday (September 23), causing flooding and difficult terrain.
Cahyo said the attackers were members of the KKB’s Kodap XVII Yahukimo faction, led by Kopitua Heluka.
In April, the same group was linked to a deadly attack in Bingki that killed 16 illegal gold miners.
Over the past few years, armed rebel groups in Papua have frequently employed hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian security personnel and mounted acts of terror against civilians to spread fear.
Victims of these attacks have included construction workers, motorcycle taxi (ojek) drivers, teachers, students, street food vendors, and also civilian aircraft.
Related news: Sorong riots prompt police to deploy 100 elite Brimob officers
Related news: Missing man found dead with arrow wounds in Papua unrest: police
Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Arie Novarina
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
