Papuaaround.com – The number of gold miners killed in an attack by an armed criminal group in Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua, has increased. Authorities confirmed that seven people lost their lives, while five others managed to survive the assault.
Officials from the joint security forces under Operation Peace Cartenz reported the latest developments on Thursday, October 2, 2025. According to their statement, the bodies of the victims have been successfully evacuated from two separate locations in Seradala District.
On Wednesday, October 1, three victims were found near the Kulum River. They were identified as Roberto Agama, also known as Obet, aged 27; Yunus Agama, aged 29; and Marselino Lumare, aged 32. A day later, on Thursday morning, the evacuation team retrieved two more bodies from an abandoned excavation camp at Kali I, also in Seradala. These victims were named Andika and Fikram.
All the remains were taken to Dekai Regional General Hospital in the early hours of Thursday for further medical examination. Security forces emphasized that the evacuation process was carried out under heightened precautions, considering the threat posed by the armed group led by Elkius Kobak.
In addition to recovering the bodies, the joint team also rescued a survivor identified as Yohanes Bouk, also known as Nando, aged 22. Yohanes managed to escape the attack by hiding inside a mining pit until the situation was safe enough for him to be located.
The violence against the miners has unfolded in a series of attacks over the past two weeks. The first incident occurred on Sunday, September 20, when two miners were killed on the main road near Bingki Village, Seradala District, at around 7:00 p.m. local time. The following day, on Monday, September 21, the armed group launched another assault at the Kulum River mining site, which resulted in the deaths of three more individuals.
The recent discoveries of additional victims in Yahukimo brought the total death toll to seven. Authorities said that five miners who were present at the sites during the attacks survived, either by escaping or through timely rescue operations.
The ongoing violence has raised concerns about the safety of local residents and workers in the remote regency. Security forces under Operation Peace Cartenz have continued their efforts to secure the region, which has been affected by repeated attacks from armed groups in recent years. They also pledged to intensify patrols and expand their operations in order to prevent further casualties.
While the armed group’s motive for targeting the gold miners remains under investigation, officials stated that their priority is to protect civilians and ensure that the bodies of all victims are recovered and handed over to their families.
The situation in Yahukimo highlights the broader challenges faced by security forces in Papua’s highland regions, where difficult terrain, limited infrastructure, and armed resistance complicate law enforcement operations. Despite these challenges, authorities affirmed their commitment to maintaining order and safeguarding the population.
