Ilaga, Central Papua — Task Force Operation Peace Cartenz 2025 has confirmed that the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) is responsible for the arson attacks on several buildings in Omukia District, Puncak Regency. The incident, which occurred on Sunday (June 6, 2025), targeted two unoccupied houses belonging to the Regent of Puncak, Elvis Tabuni, as well as the Omukia District Office.
The Head of Peace Operation Cartenz 2025, Brigadier General of Police Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, S.Sos., S.I.K., M.H., accompanied by Deputy Head of Operation, Chief Commissioner of Police Adarma Sinaga, S.I.K., M.Hum., stated that KKB’s claim that the Regent’s houses and the District Office were used as military posts is false and part of a propaganda campaign aimed at manipulating public opinion.
“The KKB group deliberately builds a narrative that the government is using civilian buildings for military purposes. This narrative is used to justify their violent acts and to influence the community, although it is completely untrue,” said Brigadier General Faizal.
The Head of Public Relation Task Force, Chief Commissioner of Police Yusuf Sutejo, S.I.K., M.T., explained that Sebby Sambom, who claims to be the spokesperson of TPNPB OPM, has spread allegations that the deployment of military forces in the Regent’s house and District Office has frightened residents away from their villages.
“In fact, before Sebby’s statement emerged, KKB-affiliated accounts had already tried to frame the burning of buildings in Ilaga as actions carried out by TNI-Polri personnel. This reveals a structured propaganda pattern designed to shape public perception according to their narrative,” explained Chief Commissioner Yusuf.
In addition to the long-abandoned Regent’s residence and the District Office, Task Force Operation Peace Cartenz 2025 recorded four other buildings burned by the KKB, including a suspected church building in Pinapa Village, a government official residence in the same village, a public health center (puskesmas), and a school building along with the village office in Pinggil Village, Omukia District.
The narrative that such arson is a form of resistance against the “militarization” of civilian facilities is reportedly a strategy often used by KKB to gain international sympathy and mobilize local support.
“It has become KKB’s usual tactic—whenever they commit murder against civilians, they claim the victims were Indonesian military intelligence operatives. The truth is, they are killing innocent civilians,” Yusuf Sutejo added.
Task Force Operation Peace Cartenz 2025 stressed that the TNI-Polri personnel deployed in Puncak Regency are solely focused on maintaining public safety and are not using civilian facilities for military operations.
There were no casualties in the incident. Task Force Operation Peace Cartenz 2025 reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining security and stability in Papua in the pursuit of a peaceful and safe region free from armed criminal groups.
