Two of three Papua shooting victims evacuated: police

hartono · Jul 24, 2026

Two of three Papua shooting victims evacuated: police

Yahukimo Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Zet Salino is preparing TNI-Polri personnel who will secure the journey of six logistics transport ships currently in Soator, Asmat District, after previously being shot by KKB on their way to Dekai, Yahukimo District. (ANTARA/HO/Dok Polres Yahukimo)

Jayapura (ANTARA) - A joint Indonesian military and police team has evacuated two of three civilians killed in a shooting allegedly carried out by an armed criminal group in Yahukimo District, Highland Papua Province, on Monday (July 20), a police officer said Thursday.

“The bodies of the married couple were taken to Dekai Regional Hospital and will be handed over to their families for burial,” Yahukimo Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Zet Saalino said.

The evacuation was hampered by strong currents in the Brazza River, which rescuers had to cross to reach the site, Saalino said.

The team will resume its search Friday, July 24, to evacuate the third victim, a woman, he said, adding that the victims were local residents who had been panning for gold near Seradala.

“Although we have repeatedly urged civilians not to pan for gold, some residents continue to search for and pan for gold,” he said.

An armed criminal group led by Kopitua Heluka had claimed responsibility for Monday's shooting of three civilians near the Trans-Papua Highway in Seradala Subdistrict.