Yalimo-Elelim, Papua Pegunungan – The joint Indonesian National Army – Indonesian Police team managed to evacuate six Indonesian National Army personnel of the Maleo Special Forces Command Task Force who were surrounded behind the Maleo Task Force Post, Pirip Village, Elelim District, Yalim Regency, Tuesday (9/16/2025) afternoon. Three of them suffered serious injuries from arrows, stone throws, and burns.
The evacuation started at 17.26 WIT with the deployment of three units of six-wheeled vehicles and three units of four-wheeled vehicles. The operation was led by Ipda Abdul Azis from Satbrimob Regional Police Papua with Indonesian National Army and Yalimo Police personnel. During the process, the joint team was attacked by the masses from various sides, but managed to be beaten back.
Head of Operations Peace Cartenz Brigadier General. Pol. Faizal Ramadhani, S.Sos., S.I.K., M.H.,i, explained at 18.16 WIT, six personnel were successfully rescued and taken to the Yalimo Police Headquarters.
“The medical team immediately provided intensive care to three members who were seriously injured, namely Sertu Nando Manurung, Sertu Kantum, and Letda Inf Supardi,” he said. The three of them are currently undergoing treatment at Er Dabi Hospital, Yalimo.
This riot was triggered by a mass attack related to alleged racism involving a group of students of Elelim State High School 1. The clash then spread until it caused around 500 residents to evacuate to the Yalimo Police Headquarters. Dozens of buildings were burned, including shophouses, boarding houses, Yalimo Regency Government official houses, official offices, and Indonesian National Army – Indonesian Police facilities. Dozens of two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles were also scorched.
Deputy Head of Operations Peace Cartenz Chief Commissioner of Police Adarma Sinaga, S.I.K., M.Hum., added, a number of officers also became victims of the attack.
“Some of our members were injured, including Briptu Fitrah H. Naing was hit by a stone in the face, Briptu Muh Aksa Almuthadin was hit by an arrow in the head, and a Indonesian National Army soldier named Charles suffered a wound on the back of the head,” he said.
Civilian casualties also fell. Nasir Daeng Mappa (44) and his son, Arsya Dafa (9), are suspected to have died because of the fire in the car. Another child, Atifa (10), suffered a cut on his neck, while a Papuan student, Sadrak Yohame, died from a gunshot wound.
Until Tuesday night, security forces are still guarding around the Elelim Police Station and the Yalim Police Headquarters. The situation in the city is reported to be gripping with the power grid out and fires at a number of points that have not been controlled. Evacuation of immigrants who are still hiding in houses or shophouses has not been carried out.
