Yalimo, Papua Highlands — A joint TNI-Polri team successfully evacuated six personnel of the Indonesian Army’s Satgas Maleo Kopassus who were besieged behind the Maleo Post in Elelim District, Yalimo Regency, on Tuesday afternoon (September 16, 2025). Three soldiers sustained serious injuries from arrows, stone attacks, and burns. The evacuation unfolded in a tense atmosphere with dozens of buildings burned, hundreds of residents displaced, and numerous vehicles destroyed.
The riot was triggered by an alleged racism case involving several students of SMA Negeri 1 Elelim, which escalated into large-scale clashes. In addition to injured security personnel, civilian casualties were also reported, including two residents who were burned to death inside a car, a young girl who suffered slash wounds, and a Papuan student who died from gunshot injuries. By nightfall, Elelim remained in darkness due to a blackout, with fires still uncontrolled.
Head of Operation Peace Cartenz 2025, Brigadier General of Police Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, S.Sos., S.I.K., M.H.:
“Six soldiers were successfully evacuated to Yalimo Police Headquarters at 6:16 p.m. local time. Three members with serious injuries immediately received intensive treatment at Er Dabi Hospital, Yalimo.”
Deputy Head of Operation, Chief Commissioner of Police Adarma Sinaga, S.I.K., M.Hum.:
“Several of our personnel were also injured, including Police Brigadier Fitrah H. Naing who was struck in the face by a stone, Police Brigadier Muh Aksa Almuthadin who was hit by an arrow to the head, and an army soldier named Charles who suffered a wound to the back of his head.”
Head of Public Relation of Operation Peace Cartenz 2025, Chief Commissioner of Police Yusuf Sutejo, S.I.K., M.T.:
“The situation in Yalimo remains under tight security. Security forces continue to stand guard in Elelim, but the city is still tense, with a blackout in place, ongoing fires, and the evacuation of migrant residents not yet fully completed.”
