Pegunungan Bintang — The old building of Kiwirok Junior High School (SMP Negeri Kiwirok) in Sopamikma Village, Kiwirok District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, was set on fire by an Armed Criminal Group (KKB) identifying itself as Kodap XV Ngalum Kupel on Monday (October 13, 2025) at around 07:00 Eastern Indonesia Time (WIT). The incident was detected through the monitoring of personnel from Operation Peace Cartenz 2025, prompting a rapid response from joint TNI–Polri forces to secure the area.
At around 06:00 WIT, monitoring results showed seven armed individuals setting fire to the old school building.
In response, personnel from Operation Peace Cartenz 2025 immediately moved toward the location. At approximately 07:20 WIT, just as the team arrived near Kiwirok Airstrip, a gunshot was heard from the direction of the burning site.
A firefight ensued between security forces and the armed group. The joint team successfully repelled the attackers, forcing them to retreat toward Kotobib Village.
After ensuring the area was secure, the TNI–Polri team visited the evacuation post at Polobakon Village Hall to deliver safety messages and calm the residents.
Head of Peace Operation Cartenz 2025, Brigadier General of Police Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, S.Sos., S.I.K., M.H., condemned the arson attack targeting educational facilities.
“An attack on a school is an inhumane act. Educational facilities are places where Papuan children gain knowledge and build their future. We will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure such incidents do not happen again,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Deputy Head of Operation, Chief Commissioner of Police Adarma Sinaga, S.I.K., M.Hum., stated that security forces remain on alert across Kiwirok and its surrounding areas.
“We confirm that the situation is now under control. TNI–Polri will continue to carry out preventive measures and law enforcement actions against groups that threaten public safety,” he said.
Operation Peace Cartenz 2025, together with the TNI, continues to monitor the movement of armed groups in the Kiwirok border area and has tightened access in and out of the district to prevent further attacks.
