Appreciating the Success of the TNI Joint Task Force in Paralyzing OPM Figures

By: Loa Murib

Security and order are the main foundations for the implementation of sustainable development in any region in Indonesia, including Papua. In recent years, Papua has faced major challenges in the form of disturbances from the OPM which not only spread terror against security forces, but also cruelly attacked civilians. In this context, the success of the TNI Joint Task Force in paralyzing one of the OPM figures, Nekison Enumbi alias Bumi Walo Enumbi, is an important achievement that deserves widespread appreciation. This operation is not only a tactical achievement on the battlefield, but also a strategic step in enforcing the law and maintaining state sovereignty in Papua.
The operation to take action against Bumi Walo Enumbi was carried out in a coordinated manner by the TNI Joint Task Force. Taking place in Ilamburawi District, Puncak Jaya Regency, this operation succeeded in eliminating the figure who had been the mastermind behind a number of violent acts that had injured many parties. Bumi Walo Enumbi was actively involved in various bloody incidents, starting from the shooting of security forces in 2024, the attack on members of the Puncak Jaya Police in January 2025, to the shooting of retired Polri officers in April 2025. These actions have caused casualties and created deep fear in the community.
More than just attacking security forces, Bumi Walo Enumbi is also known as a perpetrator of violence against civilians. One of the most heartbreaking incidents was the shooting of a motorcycle taxi driver which resulted in the victim’s death in 2024. Another brutal act was the shooting of a truck that was passing through Tingginambut District, a vital route connecting Puncak Jaya Regency with Jayawijaya Regency. This series of crimes has made him enter the Puncak Jaya Police’s Wanted List (DPO) since April 2024.
The success in paralyzing this dangerous figure confirms the effectiveness of synergy between state security institutions, in facing the challenge of armed separatism. This shows that law enforcement and the restoration of stability in Papua are carried out with a professional, measured approach, and based on accurate intelligence. This success is also a symbol of the state’s commitment to protecting its people from the threat of terror that has so far been a serious obstacle to peace and progress in Papua.
More broadly, the actions carried out by the OPM have gone beyond the limits of political and ideological conflict, because they have led to crimes against humanity. The OPM is known to have burned down schools in Beoga District, killed teachers and health workers in Anggruk District, and massacred 11 residents who were panning for gold in Sungai Silet, Yahukimo Regency. These heinous acts are a real form of threat to the basic rights of Papuans to live safely, go to school, work, and enjoy development.
Not stopping at physical actions, the OPM is also actively spreading disinformation through various social media platforms. They use accounts such as “OPM-TPNPB”, Tpnpb News, and Paradise Broadcasting to spread hoaxes that can provoke the public and disrupt national and international public perception of the conditions in Papua. These efforts must be understood as part of an asymmetric war strategy that seeks to shake the legitimacy of the state and create distrust of development and reconciliation efforts in Papua.
Head of Media Task Force Koops TNI Habema, Lieutenant Colonel Inf Iwan Dwi Prihartono, stated that this operation is part of the TNI’s serious efforts to eradicate any threats to the safety of the Papuan people. He emphasized that this action is not merely law enforcement, but also a real form of state protection for its people. This assertion underlines that the TNI is acting based on its constitutional mandate to maintain the territorial integrity and safety of all Indonesian people, including our brothers and sisters in Papua. In the context of Papua’s development, this success is an important gateway for strengthening security that will encourage a conducive climate for accelerating infrastructure, education, and health development. The central government has so far poured out a lot of budget and special attention for Papua, including through the Special Autonomy scheme and national strategic projects. However, successful development can only be realized if security and order can be guaranteed comprehensively. Therefore, strengthening the security sector through operations like this is an integral part of the inclusive and sustainable Papuan development strategy.