JAKARTA, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian armed forces (TNI) gunned down two members of the Egianus Kogoya-led group affiliated with the Free Papua Movement (OPM) in a planned and proportional operation in the country's eastern Highland Papua province on Monday, a senior military officer confirmed on Tuesday.
The operation was conducted in Aleleng Village, Tangma District, Yahukimo Regency, on Monday at around 00:15 a.m. local time, following a tip-off from residents about the presence of four armed OPM members in a traditional Papuan house in Ligima Village.
"In an attempt to arrest the suspects, a brief exchange of fire occurred in Aleleng, resulting in the deaths of two OPM members. There were no casualties on the TNI side," said Major General Kristomei Sianturi, spokesperson for the TNI, in a statement on Tuesday.
The operation was a direct response to the brutal acts committed by the OPM's Defense Area Command III Ndugama, which had previously killed church construction workers in Wamena, the capital of Jayawijaya Regency, and destroyed forest areas for illegal marijuana plantations.
TNI personnel secured several pieces of evidence at the scene, including one revolver, one homemade pistol, five rounds of 9 mm ammunition and other equipment.
"This operation demonstrates that the TNI is firmly present in the Papua Mountains to protect communities from armed terror and to support the acceleration of welfare development in Bumi Cenderawasih," Sianturi said.
He noted that the TNI will continue to prioritize a measured, professional, and proportional approach, while also upholding dialogue, law enforcement, and territorial development. ■
