Aceh – Indonesia, Joint TNI forces from the Rajawali V Task Force of Koops Habema and the Marine Infantry Task Force, reinforced by Infantry Battalion 764 – I B under the command of Kogabwilhan III, once again engaged in a gunfight with the TPNPB-OPM Kodap IV Sorong Jaya group led by Manfret Fatem.

The shoot-out took place in a forest in the northern part of Aifat District, Maybrat Regency, Southwest Papua Province.

“Before the firefight broke out, our troops first took persuasive measures, requesting them to surrender and lay down their arms,” said Commander of Joint Defense Command III, Lt. Gen. TNI Lucky Avianto, on Sunday (10/4/2026).

However, members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) responded to the appeal by firing live ammunition indiscriminately at the TNI Task Force troops.

“All of our personnel are safe, while two henchmen of Manfret Fatem, namely the Commander of Defense Region Command II Kodap IV Sorong Raya, Arso Aisnak, and the Commander of the Karef Hamit Battalion Kodap IV Sorong Raya, Yohanes KY, were killed in the firefight. Meanwhile, their leader, Manfret Fatem, chose to flee into the forest with the remaining members of his group,” Lucky revealed.

At the scene, the TNI secured several items belonging to the OPM, including 1 revolver handgun with ammunition, dozens of automatic machine gun rounds, several sharp weapons, communication equipment, and 2 Morning Star flags.(*)

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