Papuaaround.com – The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM), known locally as an armed criminal group (KKB), was reportedly behind the burning of a junior high school building in Kiwirok District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. The Damai Cartenz Task Force of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) confirmed that 16 individuals were involved in the arson attack.
Following the incident, joint forces from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and Polri were deployed to secure Mangoldolki Village, located near the site of the attack. The security operation aims to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of local residents. According to official information, the burned building belonged to SMPN Kiwirok, situated in Sopamikma Village, Kiwirok District.
Brigadier General Faizal Rahmadani, Chief of Operations for the Damai Cartenz Task Force, stated that the attack occurred around 7:45 a.m. local time. “The Ngalum Kupel armed group burned down the SMP Negeri Kiwirok building in Sopamikma Village, Kiwirok District,” he said from Jayapura, Papua Province.
When pursued by law enforcement, the perpetrators reportedly fled toward Delpem Village. In response, TNI-Polri personnel were stationed in Mangoldolki Village, located close to the crime scene, to maintain order and prevent further attacks.
Records from the Damai Cartenz Task Force show that this is not the first time the OPM has targeted educational facilities in Kiwirok. In 2021, the group also set fire to the same junior high school, forcing teaching and learning activities to be relocated to SMPN 1 Oksibil, the capital of Pegunungan Bintang Regency.
Brig. Gen. Faizal condemned the attack as a serious crime that targets the future of young Papuans. “An attack on a school is a heinous act because it strikes at the heart of Papua’s next generation. This is not only a crime against the state but also against humanity. We will continue to hunt down the perpetrators to ensure that Kiwirok remains secure,” he asserted.
Shortly after the attack, the Joint Regional Defense Command (Kogabwilhan) III, through the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU), launched a counter-operation using Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano aircraft. In a video circulating online, the light attack aircraft was seen conducting air strikes on OPM positions operating in the Kiwirok highlands.
Reports indicated that the Super Tucano deployed FN Herstal M3P 12.7-millimeter machine guns and rockets to destroy OPM hideouts. The Brazilian-made turboprop aircraft was chosen for the mission due to its agility and suitability for operations in mountainous terrain.
Soon after the airstrike, a video allegedly showing OPM members pleading for divine protection went viral on social media. The footage sparked widespread reactions among Indonesians, with many pointing out the irony of the group’s violent actions against civilians while showing fear in the face of the TNI’s response.
Military sources later confirmed that the TNI Air Force had indeed conducted operations against OPM in the Kiwirok area. However, officials at the TNI headquarters in Cilangkap declined to provide further details, advising that inquiries be directed to the Air Force Headquarters or Kogabwilhan III.
The security situation in area near the high school in Kiwirok remains closely monitored as TNI-Polri personnel continue operations to stabilize the region. The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in Papua, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted government facilities, schools, and civilians in recent years. Authorities reaffirm their commitment to maintaining peace, protecting education access, and ensuring the safety of all citizens in Papua Pegunungan.
