Jayapura, Papua – Authorities at the Yalimo Police Department are currently investigating a shooting incident in the Abenaho District, Wilak Village, Yalimo Regency, involving an unidentified assailant (referred to as OTK, “Orang Tak Dikenal” in Indonesian).
The incident occurred on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. During the exchange of gunfire, personnel from Task Force 323/BP and Task Force Mandala V clashed with an armed criminal group.
Papua Police Public Relations Chief, Kombes Pol. Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo, confirmed the incident during a press briefing, stating: “Yes, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at approximately 12:10 PM local time, members of the Yalimo Police Intelligence Unit received a phone report about a shooting at KM 76 in the Abenaho District, Yalimo Regency.”
In a separate statement, Yalimo Police Chief Kompol Joni Samonsabra explained that the shooting targeted three trucks carrying drivers on the road near Wilak Village, KM 76, in Abenaho District. The attackers, identified as unknown assailants, opened fire on the vehicles.
“As a result, one individual has been confirmed dead, and the victim is currently being evacuated by security personnel deployed in the Abenaho District,” said Kompol Samonsabra.
Further details reveal that after the shooting, survivors who managed to escape contacted other drivers behind them, advising them to turn back. They reported the incident to officers stationed at the Abenaho Police Post.
“Upon receiving the report, Yalimo Police personnel, alongside reinforcements from the Papua Mobile Brigade (Brimob) who were in the area providing security for a district-level plenary meeting, split into two teams to evacuate the bodies from the crime scene,” the police chief added.
Kompol Samonsabra speculated that the unknown assailants may be connected to a wanted criminal, Aske Mabel, who is currently on the run.
“The police are actively pursuing the perpetrators of this shooting. Meanwhile, the survivor who was successfully evacuated has been transported to the Abenaho Health Center, where a thorough examination will be conducted by law enforcement before the body is returned to the victim’s family,” the police chief concluded.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the motives behind the attack, as well as the identities of the individuals responsible.
