Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  The Indonesian Army has launched a joint operation with the Ministry of Forestry to shut down illegal gold mining in the protected Halimun Salak National Park, West Java.

“The deployment of our personnel to secure and dismantle illegal mining sites was ordered by the Siliwangi regional military command and Suryakancana military command,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ilham, the Commander of the Garuda battalion, on Thursday (6/11/2025), as reported by antaranews.com.

The operation began on 28 October 2025 after local residents reported illegal mining in Sukajaya District, Bogor Regency. Troops, along with forest rangers, uncovered and sealed hundreds of tents and makeshift huts used by miners. Authorities also confiscated rock-grinding machines, generators, gold-processing materials, and discovered several mining pits.

Commander Ilham said the mission not only aimed to stop the illegal activity but also to educate nearby communities on environmental protection and the dangers of mining in a national park. 

(mg/inp/pr/rs)