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March 26, 2025 | 06:16 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An armed group attack in Anggruk District, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands resulted in the deaths of six teachers on Friday, March 21, 2025. The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) claimed responsibility for the incident.
"We are ready to take responsibility for the killing of Indonesian intelligence agents who work as teachers," said TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambon in a statement on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
Head of Information of Kodam XVII Cenderawasih, Infantry Colonel Candra Kurniawan, stated that the victims were allegedly killed by being burned alive while inside the school building. Out of the six victims, four of them have been identified. One of the victims is known to be a healthcare worker assigned in Anggruk District.
"Yes, six teachers were killed in a brutal and inhumane attack. During the attack, they burned down the school and teachers' houses," said Kurniawan when contacted on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
So, who is the figure in TPNPB-OPM responsible for the deaths of the six teachers in Yahukimo? Here is a summary of the information.
Commander of TPNPB-OPM Orders Attack on 6 Teachers
Commander of TPNPB-OPM Regional Defense Command XVI Yahukimo, Elkius Kobak, admitted to being the one who ordered the attack on six teachers in Anggruk District. He claimed that the victims were Indonesian intelligence agents.
According to him, the action was taken in response to the statement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander General Agus Subiyanto, who mentioned that military personnel were assigned as educators in Papua.
"So, I ordered the troops to carry out the killing of six TNI members who work as teachers," said Elkius in a written statement on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
However, there is no evidence to support the claim that the teachers are intelligence agents. The TPNPB-OPM's accusation is only based on the statement of the TNI Commander regarding the deployment of soldiers to work as educators and healthcare workers in Papua.
"The killings we carried out were in response to the statement of the TNI Commander regarding the teachers and healthcare workers sent to Papua being TNI members," said TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambon.
The attack was carried out by TPNPB-OPM forces from the Eden Sawi and Sisipia areas. They also issued a warning for all educators and healthcare workers to immediately leave the conflict areas in Papua on Sunday, March 23, 2025. In addition, the group claimed to have planned further attacks on government intelligence agents to be carried out on Monday, March 24, 2025, in all OPM operational areas.
"We convey to President Prabowo and the TNI Commander not to retaliate against civilians indiscriminately," said Sebby.
Meanwhile, Head of Information of Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih Colonel Inf. Candra Kurniawan stated that six victims who died in the attack by TPNPB-OPM in Yahukimo, Papua Highlands, worked as teachers. The TNI denied the claims of the armed criminal group stating that the teachers were government intelligence agents.
"All the victims of the OPM group are clearly teachers, not military members or agents," said Candra when contacted on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
According to him, OPM's allegations that the teachers are military agents are unfounded. He stated that the armed criminal group is only seeking justification for their actions. "OPM must take responsibility. Security forces will act decisively," he added.
As for the TNI, they have evacuated dozens of teachers and medical workers to avoid further attacks by the OPM. The teachers and medical workers from various districts in Papua Highlands were flown from Wamena to Jayapura.
Novali Panji Nugroho and Nandito Putra contributed for of this article.
Editor's Choice: Komnas HAM: OPM's Violence Against Teachers in Yahukimo Breaches Human Rights Principles
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