Rising insurgency in Papua: Indonesia triples troops as high-value militants are captured

https://indonesiabusinesspost.com/6153/defense-and-security/rising-insurgency-in-papua-indonesia-triples-troops-as-high-value-militants-are-captured

 Rising insurgency in Papua: Indonesia triples troops as high-value militants are captured

 

Published on 24/02/2026 GMT+7

 

Reading time 4 minutes

 

Author: Erlangga Pratama. Editor: Annelis Putri

The restive Yahukimo Regency in the Papua Highlands has seen a dramatic collapse in security over the first six weeks of 2026, forcing a massive military and police buildup. 

Following a surge of 23 violent incidents since January, the Damai Cartenz 2026 Task Force announced on Monday, February 23, the successful capture and high-security transfer of three key insurgent leaders.

The Damai Cartenz 2026 Task Force is an elite, multi agency security operation comprised of members from the Indonesian National Police and the Armed Forces. Unlike traditional military units, it focuses on a "law enforcement" approach to the Papua insurgency, prioritizing the capture of specific individuals on the Most Wanted List (DPO) and the protection of vital civilian infrastructure. By combining high risk tactical operations with community based programs like local education and healthcare, the task force aims to neutralize armed groups while maintaining regional stability in high conflict zones like the Papua Highlands.

The anatomy of an escalation

The current crisis traces back to a major security failure on February 25, 2025, when high ranking commander Penihas "Kopi Tua" Heluka escaped from Wamena Prison. An educated former university student turned guerrilla leader, Heluka is the commander of the Yamue Battalion of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).

Since his escape, Heluka has consolidated fragmented factions and shifted tactics toward "urban terror" in the regional capital, Dekai. Security data reveals the staggering impact of his return: early 2025 saw only 3 security disturbances recorded, but that number skyrocketed to 23 incidents in the same period of 2026. The violence has evolved from remote jungle skirmishes to targeted attacks on the "lifeblood" of the region, including the burning of schools, the shooting of commercial aircraft, and the assassination of civilian logistics drivers.

The manhunt and breakthrough

In response to the chaos, the Indonesian government tripled its security footprint in Yahukimo, surging from 80 personnel in early January to a 250 strong elite force by mid February.

This buildup led to the arrest of 12 suspects between November and February. The breakthrough culminated this past weekend with the capture of three "Priority Targets" who have terrorized the regency for years. Among those captured is Homi Heluka, a veteran militant linked to the 2022 killing of a Brimob (special police) officer and the recent destruction of public schools. Joining him in custody is Enage Hiluka, suspected in the September 2025 murder of a teacher, and Kotor Payage, who is implicated in the attempted assassination of a civilian driver on February 12.

The strategic transfer to Jayapura

On Monday, February 23, 2026, under heavy guard by special forces, the three leaders were flown out of the Highlands to the provincial capital, Jayapura. Task Force spokesperson Kombes Pol. Yusuf Sutejo stated that the transfer was a necessary preventative measure. Given Kopi Tua Heluka’s history of prison breaks, authorities feared that keeping the leaders in Yahukimo would trigger a violent "rescue mission" by local factions. The suspects are now being held at the Papua Regional Police (Polda Papua) headquarters for intensive interrogation to map out the remaining insurgent networks.

 

 

Direct threat against Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka

The instability in Yahukimo has complicated Indonesia’s regional diplomacy. In January 2026, Kopi Tua Heluka issued a direct threat against Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, forcing the cancellation of a high profile state visit. Furthermore, the February 11 shooting of a Smart Air aircraft, a vital link for food and medicine in the isolated Highlands, has drawn concern from international aviation and humanitarian groups.

While the recent arrests mark a significant victory for Jakarta, the "Kopi Tua" factor remains. As long as the primary commander remains at large in the jungle, the shadow of the 2025 jailbreak continues to loom over the stability of the Papua Highlands.

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