Inp.polri.go.id - Jayapura. Papua Regional Police confirmed the identities of five illegal gold miners killed in recent attacks by an armed criminal group (KKB) in Yahukimo Regency. 

The victims were named as Desem Dominggus, Marselinus Manek, Roberto, Yunus, and Unu.

“The information about the five victims came from fellow miners who managed to flee the site deep in Yahukimo,” said Papua Police Head of Public Relations Senior Superintendent Cahyo Sukarnito on Thursday (25/9/2025).

The shootings occurred in two locations: two victims were killed on Sunday in Bingki, while three more were shot dead on Monday near Kali I. Authorities have been unable to retrieve the bodies due to heavy rain, flooding, and ongoing clashes since Tuesday.

Police identified the attackers as members of KKB Yahukimo command, led by Kopitua Heluka. A similar attack in April left 16 miners dead in the same district, underscoring persistent violence targeting illegal mining camps in Papua’s interior.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)