YAHUKIMO — The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) National Command (Komnas) Region XVI Yahukimo stated responsibility for the shooting that killed eight Indonesian security forces.

​The shooting occurred in the illegal gold panning area, Korowai, in an operation that took place from May 17 to May 20, 2026.

​The Operations Commander of Kodap XVI Yahukimo, Major Kopitua Heluka, emphasized that this action is a form of direct retaliation for the death of two TPNPB members who were shot dead by the Indonesian military in Yahukimo last week.

​In the cleansing operation, Major Kopitua Heluka moved together with forces from the Yamue Battalion under the leadership of the Battalion Operations Commander, Kumis Passe, and Major Dejang Heluka.

​TPNPB stated, the eight people who became targets in the operation were TNI and Polri members disguising as illegal gold panners in the conflict region.

​Major Dejang Heluka along with his forces stated readiness to be responsible for the operation claimed as a defense and retaliation action.

​"We will not go anywhere, but we are still on alert one until the corpses that we placed for Prabowo come to be taken," emphasized Dejang Heluka.

​The conflict in the Yahukimo region seems will continue to escalate after TPNPB issued a harsh warning against the presence of security forces and migrant residents in the region.

​TPNPB emphasized they will not let Indonesian security forces' activities run in the land of Papua.

​Through a short message received by the Management of the Central Headquarters of Komnas West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Major Kopitua Heluka re-emphasized the commitment to continue military operations in the region.

​"Moreover, TNI Polri shot my forces so I will retaliate from the tip of the hair to the tip of the nail," said Kopitua Heluka. ***