Timika, PenKoopsHabema – The disturbances caused by the Free Papua Movement (OPM) in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, at the end of May were successfully resolved by the Indonesian National Armed Forces Command Operations (KOOPS TNI) HABEMA. However, unsatisfied with this outcome, on June 3, 2024, OPM launched another attack, this time targeting Sinak District, Puncak Regency, which is also in Central Papua Province.
The OPM group, led by Kalenak Murib, began their disruptive actions by intimidating residents and terrorizing the security of Sinak District, specifically in the Sinak Market area. During their operation, one of the armed OPM members, identified as Dombol Murib (Kalenak Murib’s younger brother), often forced and demanded food and money from local residents, even assaulting them if his demands were not met.
When residents saw Dombol Murib’s OPM group approaching Sinak Market, they panicked and ran to report it to the local security forces. KOOPS HABEMA troops, who were relatively close to the area, were securing the construction of a Joint Post by the TNI Headquarters Logistics Unit. Responding swiftly to the residents’ report, KOOPS HABEMA troops immediately moved to Sinak Market to rescue the very panicked and frightened residents due to the OPM’s actions.
Seeing the movement of KOOPS HABEMA troops, Dombol Murib’s OPM group immediately tried to block them with gunfire aimed at the TNI soldiers. Despite the OPM’s gunfire, KOOPS HABEMA troops continued to advance towards Sinak Market and even pursued the OPM group, which kept firing. Tactical military maneuvers were conducted by KOOPS HABEMA troops to pinpoint the source of the gunfire. TNI forces observed two armed OPM members along with several other OPM members nearby. Based on this observation, KOOPS HABEMA troops directed targeted shots at the armed OPM members and successfully hit the target. After the shooting, it was observed that the OPM group fled through the river towards Nigilome Village, carrying away their wounded comrade.
“The KOOPS HABEMA troops’ success in dealing with Kalenak Murib’s OPM group in Sinak District, Puncak Regency, demonstrates efforts to create regional security to support the accelerated development of Papua,” said Lieutenant General TNI Richard T.H. Tampubolon after the operation.
West Papua Now 