The weapon was secured by personnel from the Operation Peace Cartenz Task Force and Yahukimo Police on Tuesday, February 2, at 2:33 p.m., following a tip from local residents.
“Led by Commissioner Sarraju of the task force’s Law Enforcement Division and accompanied by First Inspector Samuel Yunus of Yahukimo Police intelligence, the team immediately went to the site to investigate and secure the weapon,” Faizal said.
Investigators found the rifle behind an abandoned house near the reported location and confiscated it as evidence.
The weapon was taken to Yahukimo Police headquarters for further investigation, authorities said.
“This action is part of early preventive measures against potential public security threats in Papua’s highlands, especially in Yahukimo,” Faizal added.
He said any information posing a potential threat to public safety is acted on without delay.
“It is the task force’s commitment to prevent security disturbances and ensure residents feel safe in their daily activities,” he said.
Papuan separatists have intensified attacks across Indonesia’s easternmost provinces in recent years, targeting civilians, workers, and security forces in a campaign aimed at spreading fear and undermining state authority.
Armed groups linked to the Free Papua Movement (OPM) have frequently used hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian troops and staged assaults on civilians in districts including Intan Jaya, Nduga, Yahukimo, and Puncak.
Targets have included construction workers, motorcycle taxi drivers, teachers, students, food vendors, and civilian aircraft crews.
Notable incidents include December 2, 2018: Rebels killed 31 workers from PT Istaka Karya building the Trans Papua highway in Kali Yigi and Kali Aurak, Yigi Subdistrict, Nduga District.
March 2, 2022: Eight technicians from Palaparing Timur Telematika (PTT) were shot dead in Beoga Subdistrict, Puncak District, while repairing a Telkomsel telecom tower.
February 7, 2023: New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens was taken hostage by an armed group led by Egianus Kogoya after landing a Susi Air flight in Nduga District. His aircraft was then set on fire.
October 16, 2023: Separatists attacked gold miners in Yahukimo District, Highland Papua Province, killing seven.
November 25, 2023: Four Indonesian soldiers died in a gunfight with rebels in Paro Subdistrict, Nduga District.
January 19, 2024: Security forces clashed with an armed group in Intan Jaya District, Central Papua. Brimob paramilitary police officer Alfando Steve Karamoy was injured by gunfire.
April 10, 2024: Second Lieutenant Oktovianus Sogalrey, commander of the 1703-04 Aradide Subdistrict Military Command, was shot and killed in Paniai District, Central Papua.
April 2025: Sixteen illegal gold miners were shot dead by an armed group in Yahukimo District, Highland Papua.
October 6, 2025: TPNPB commander Mayu Waliya was killed in a clash with Joint Task Force Habema in Lanny Jaya District.
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Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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