Papuaaround.com – Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) units under the Habema Joint Operations Command Task Force have regained control of two bases belonging to an armed separatist group in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands. The operation, carried out through a covert tactical approach, resulted in an exchange of fire in which several armed group members were reported killed.
The Commander of the Habema Joint Operations Command, Major General Lucky Avianto, stated that the operation reflected the TNI’s continued commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty while ensuring civilian safety in conflict-prone regions. He emphasized that the mission was part of a broader security strategy to stabilize vulnerable areas and prevent further violence against the local population.
According to Lucky, the operation targeted two locations believed to function as key operational bases, known as the Sisibia Base and the Yalenang Base. These sites were suspected of serving as coordination points for armed activities in the Yahukimo area. The task force conducted a silent infiltration into the locations before encountering armed patrols in the surrounding area.
During the engagement, TNI personnel were involved in direct contact with armed elements operating near the bases. As a result of the confrontation, several members of the group were reported killed, including an individual identified as a senior figure within the organization. The operation was described as controlled and focused, with the objective of limiting broader security risks in the surrounding communities.
In addition, the TNI secured control over the Gunung Road corridor, a route considered strategically important for movement and logistics in the region. Lucky explained that controlling this access route is expected to restrict the operational mobility of armed groups while improving public safety for residents who depend on the road for daily activities.
He also noted that the area around Gunung Road has previously been linked to a series of violent incidents, including attacks on aircraft, assaults on security vehicles, the burning of public facilities, and shootings involving civilians. For this reason, the operation was framed as a preventive security measure aimed at reducing the potential for future violence.
The Habema Task Force stated that operations in Papua Highlands will continue to prioritize measured security actions, community protection, and territorial stability. Authorities indicated that future missions will remain focused on reducing armed threats while maintaining a professional and structured approach to security enforcement in the region.