Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) Regional Defence Command (Kodap) XVI Yahukimo has declared a period of national mourning after four of its members were killed in a gunfight with a joint Indonesian military and police team in Gunung Street, Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua Province, on 1 September 2026.

TPNPB-OPM (Free Papua Movement) spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the four men were members of the Edensawi Battalion.

"TPNPB Central Command management has received an official report from TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo Operations Commander Major Kopitua Heluka from the battlefield in Yahukimo, officially announcing national mourning to all parties following the deaths of four TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukumo members," Sambom said in an electronic message on Thursday (03/09/2026).

Sambom identified those killed as Marsel Helembo, 21; Eris Hubusa, 18; Alpius, also known as Moso Sama, 22; and Ampol, also known as Ampuluak Yual, 21.

"We officially announce national mourning to all TPNPB forces across the 36 Kodap commands in Tanah Papua and to Papuan independence fighters wherever they are following the deaths of four TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo members from the Edensawi Battalion in the fighting in Yahukimo on 1 September 2026," he said.

Sambom said the TPNPB also expressed its gratitude to the parents, relatives and families of the four men for allowing them to join the TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo forces.

"We also thank everyone who transported the bodies of the TPNPB members from Dekai Regional Hospital for their burial ceremony in Yahukimo on Wednesday, 2 September 2026," Sambom said.

The gunfight between TPNPB members and Indonesian military and police personnel occurred after the Damai Cartenz-2026 Task Force and Yahukimo Police raided a house allegedly being used as a hideout by the group on Tuesday (01/09/2026).

According to police, the raid was linked to several alleged criminal offences committed by a number of people over several years. Those individuals were reportedly on Indonesia's wanted list.

"The operation was part of law enforcement efforts against individuals suspected of being involved in a number of criminal offences in the Yahukimo region," said Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, head of public relations for the Damai Cartenz-2026 Operation, on Wednesday (02/09/2026).

Source: https://en.jubi.id/tpnpb-yahukimo-command-declares-national-mourning-after-four-members-killed