Dekai, Jubi— The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization Regional Defense Command XVI Yahukimo (TPNPB-OPM Kodap XVI Yahukimo) stated that two of its members from the Yamue Battalion, Marten Heluka and Yoper Payage, were killed in a firefight with Indonesian security forces in Dekai, the capital of Yahukimo Regency, on Sunday (17 May 2026) at around 2:00 a.m. Papua time.

Kodap XVI Yahukimo Operations Commander, Kopitua Heluka, said TPNPB later carried out a retaliatory attack that allegedly killed one Indonesian military personnel.

The statement was delivered by Kopitua Heluka in a press release issued by the TPNPB National Commission on Monday (18 May 2026).

“Operations Commander of TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo, Major Kopitua Heluka, together with Operations Commander of the TPNPB Yamue Battalion, Major Dejang Heluka, and all TPNPB troops from the Yamue Battalion announce their grief over the deaths of two TPNPB members,” Kopitua Heluka wrote in the statement.

He said the two deceased fighters were among the best soldiers of Kodap XVI Yahukimo who had fought for the Papuan nation and homeland. TPNPB therefore officially declared a period of national mourning.

“We also express our gratitude to the parents, relatives, and family members of the late Yoper Payage and Marten Heluka, who entrusted their children to TPNPB for military training and combat against Indonesian military forces in Yahukimo, in order to reclaim the independence of the Papuan nation from Indonesian colonialism,” Kopitua Heluka said.

According to him, Yoper Payage and Marten Heluka had long been involved in armed operations in Yahukimo. For their service and sacrifice, he said, they deserved to be regarded as heroes of the Papuan struggle who died on the battlefield.

“In the retaliatory attack, we successfully shot one Indonesian military personnel at the same location in downtown Dekai, Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands Province, Indonesia. It was retaliation for the deaths of two TPNPB fighters,” he said.

Yamue Battalion Operations Commander Dejang Heluka stated that TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo would never hesitate or retreat from armed conflict until Indonesia recognizes Papuan independence.

Meanwhile, the TPNPB National Commission Headquarters, through TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom, also announced national mourning over the deaths of the two fighters.

Sebby Sambom urged Papuans, from youth to elders, to remain loyal and willing to sacrifice in the struggle for Papuan independence.

“If we continue to be colonized, then killings, torture, and exploitation of Papua’s natural resources will continue, while Papuans remain poor on their ancestral land,” Sebby Sambom said.

He also called on all TPNPB forces across 36 regional commands throughout Papua, as well as Papuans supporting independence, to defend their homeland.

“Expel Indonesian colonialism from Papua and reclaim the independence of the Papuan nation,” he said.

As of now, there has been no official statement from the Indonesian police or military regarding TPNPB’s claim that one Indonesian military personnel was shot dead. (*)