Ilaga, Central Papua — The Operation Peace Cartenz 2025 Task Force confirmed that the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) carried out arson attacks on several facilities in Omukia District, Puncak Regency. The incident on Sunday (June 6, 2025) targeted two unoccupied houses belonging to Puncak Regent Elvis Tabuni and 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., explained that KKB’s claim that the Regent’s houses and District Office were being used as military posts is false and part of a propaganda effort aimed at shaping public opinion.
“The KKB group deliberately creates a narrative suggesting the government uses civilian facilities for military purposes. This narrative is used to justify their violent actions and to influence and incite local residents, even though it is completely untrue,” said Brigadier General Faizal.
The Head of Public Relation of Operation Peace Cartenz 2025 Task Force, Chief Commissioner of Police Yusuf Sutejo, S.I.K., M.T., added that Sebby Sambom, who claims to be the spokesperson for TPNPB OPM, has spread statements accusing the military of stationing troops at the Regent’s house and the Omukia District Office, creating fear among villagers and forcing them to flee.
“In fact, before Sebby Sambom’s statement circulated, KKB sympathizer accounts had already tried to frame the narrative as if the buildings in Ilaga were burned down by TNI-Polri forces. This shows a structured propaganda pattern designed to shape public perception to suit their agenda,” explained Chief Commissioner Yusuf.
In addition to the Regent’s official residences that had long been unoccupied and the District Office, the Operation Peace Cartenz 2025 Task Force also recorded that KKB set fire to four other buildings, namely:
• One suspected church building in Pinapa Village, Omukia District.
• A government official residence in Pinapa Village.
• A community health center (puskesmas) in Pinapa Village.
• A school building and the village office in Pinggil Village, Omukia District.
The narrative claiming these burnings as a form of resistance to the “militarization” of civilian facilities is said to be a common strategy used by KKB to gain international sympathy and build local support.
“It’s a typical tactic for KKB: whenever they commit murder against civilians, they always claim the victims were Indonesian military intelligence operatives. But in reality, they are killing innocent civilians,” Yusuf Sutejo concluded.
The Operation Peace Cartenz 2025 Task Force emphasized that TNI-Polri personnel in Puncak Regency are only tasked with protecting the safety of the public and do not use civilian facilities for military operations.
There were no casualties in the incident. The Operation Peace Cartenz 2025 Task Force reiterated its commitment to maintaining security and stability in Papua to ensure a safe and peaceful region free from armed criminal groups.
