A member of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) with the initials PP has been arrested by security officers from the Cartenz Peace Task Force in Indonesia, allegedly involved in the shooting death of police officer Bripda Alfandi Steve Karamoy in an armed attack in Intan Jaya Regency over two years ago. The arrest was part of the ongoing efforts to resolve one of the biggest criminal cases related to armed violence in Papua Tengah (Central Papua), authorities said.
Police said PP was arrested at 2 p.m. June 24, 2026. Kampung Bajemba, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province. This arrest follows months of investigation and intelligence gathering. Police also seized a cellphone, which they are investigating as a potential piece of evidence.
The arrest is part of the investigation into the attack against the security post of the Cartenz Peace Task Force near a telecommunications tower in Bilogai Village, Sugapa District, on 19 January 2024. The attack was reported to have killed Chief Brigadier of Police (Bripda) Alfandi Steve Karamoy, who was shot in the jaw when he was taken to the Sugapa Community Health Center.
The latest detention is part of a broader effort by investigators to find out who else is accused of taking part in the shooting and to address a series of violent incidents that have targeted civilians and security personnel in parts of Papua recently.
Investigation Continues Two Years After the Attack
Police said the arrest came after evidence developed during the investigation that began right after the shooting in January 2024.
PP was detained by a joint team working in Intan Jaya and then taken to the task force’s command post for interrogation, said spokesman for the Cartenz Peace Task Force, Senior Commissioner of Police (Kombes Pol.) Yusuf Sutejo. The person was secured and taken immediately to the Cartenz Peace Task Force post for further examination and investigation,” Yusuf said in a statement issued on 26 June 2026.
The arrest is linked to Police Report Number LP/A/01/I/2024/SPKT/RES.INTAN JAYA for the deadly attack on the security post in January 2024, investigators said.
“Investigators are still investigating the alleged role of the suspect not only in the fatal shooting of Bripda Alfandi Steve Karamoy but also in several other security disturbances in Intan Jaya in 2026,” Yusuf said.
He added that all allegations are subjudice in the legal process and that the investigators are still gathering evidence to objectively determine facts. “We are considering all information in the investigation process to complete the evidentiary process and ensure that every legal conclusion is based on verified facts,” Yusuf said.
Revisiting the January 2024 Attack
The case is based on an incident on 19 January 2024 when armed assailants attacked security personnel guarding behind a telecommunications tower in Bilogai Village, Sugapa District.
Police reports at the time said the gun battle lasted for some thirty minutes. During the attack, Bripda Alfandi Steve Karamoy was shot, with the bullet entering on the left side of his jaw and exiting on the other side.
He was evacuated to the Sugapa health clinic, where medical personnel attempted emergency treatment, but doctors later declared him dead.
The incident led Indonesian authorities to launch a large-scale investigation, with a promise to track down all those thought to have been involved in the attack.
“The officers will continue to search for the responsible, but in the meantime, we will take legal action through the established judicial procedures,” said Cartenz Peace Task Force Commander Inspector General Police (Irjen Pol) Faizal Ramadhani at the time.
Police Stress Legal Process
Authorities view the arrest as a step in Indonesia’s criminal justice process, not as the conclusion of the investigation.
Police now suspect PP of violating several articles of Indonesia’s Criminal Code (Law Number 1 of 2023) related to homicide and premeditated murder. But investigators stressed that the allegations remain subject to evidentiary review before judicial proceedings can go forward.
Inspector General Faizal Ramadhani, head of the Cartenz Peace Task Force, speaking after the arrest, reiterated the unit’s commitment to solving cases of armed violence. “Any information obtained in the field will be followed up by professional investigations conducted according to legal procedures. “We continue to investigate and find criminal acts that cause loss of life or threaten public security,” said Faizal.
His comments point to the broader objective of the authorities to link investigative work with legal accountability as security operations continue in parts of Papua.
Security Operations Continue Alongside Community Protection
The arrest is part of wider efforts by law enforcement to improve security conditions in Papua Tengah, an area that has seen recurring incidents of armed violence over the past several years, police officials said.
The authorities stressed that the Cartenz Peace Task Force operations are not only to arrest suspects related to criminal cases but also to create conditions so that residents can carry out their daily activities more safely.
Inspector General of Police (Irjen Pol) Faizal Ramadhani, Commander of Cartenz Peace Task Force, said that security forces will continue to pursue wanted people involved in violent crimes while ensuring that every operation adheres to the applicable legal procedures. “We remain committed to enforcing the law in a professional and proportionate way. “All operations are carried out on the basis of verified intelligence and supported by evidence gathered during the investigation,” Faizal said in an official statement after the arrest.
He also urged local communities to continue collaborating with security personnel by providing information that could assist ongoing investigations.
Officials said the role of the public has increased in solving criminal cases, especially in remote and mountainous areas that are difficult to access and where investigators may need additional time to verify information obtained in the field.
Building Public Confidence Through Law Enforcement
Observers say criminal investigations in Papua go beyond the arrest of individual suspects. Just as importantly, the public must have confidence that all cases are handled via transparent legal processes.
For residents in conflict-affected districts like Intan Jaya, consistent law enforcement is a crucial component of a broader effort to establish a safer environment for schools, health care services, local markets, and government programs.
The police have repeatedly stressed that investigations into violent incidents are conducted in accordance with the Indonesian criminal justice process, including the collection of evidence, examination of witnesses, forensic examination, and judicial review.
Authorities added that each suspect has legal rights throughout the judicial process, and investigators continue to gather evidence to strengthen each case before prosecution.
Officials say the move aims to ensure accountability while preserving public trust in the legal institutions operating in Papua.
Security and Development Remain Closely Connected
Security authorities have repeatedly said that improving public safety is closely connected to broader development efforts in Papua.
Programs like education, health, transport infrastructure, and community economic empowerment often need stable security situations to work well, especially in the remote districts.
Despite security challenges in several parts of Papua, provincial and national authorities have insisted that development initiatives must continue along with law enforcement efforts.
Recently, government agencies have continued implementing programs related to education, food security, access to healthcare, and rural infrastructure in different areas of Papua.
Analysts generally agree that sustainable development and public security are interconnected. Good and stable security conditions will help communities benefit more from public services, and inclusive development may assist in reducing long-term vulnerabilities.
Investigation Remains Ongoing
Police confirmed PP remains under investigation as detectives continue to examine evidence gathered during the operation.
Investigators are also examining digital evidence recovered during the arrest, including a mobile phone thought to hold information relevant to the investigation.
Authorities said more arrests are possible, depending on new evidence.
The judicial process in Indonesia will ultimately determine criminal liability, officials stressed.
The investigators are still interviewing witnesses, confirming intelligence results and working with prosecutors as the case moves on to the next stage of the legal process.
Conclusion
PP’s arrest in Intan Jaya is the latest development in the investigation into the fatal shooting of Bripda Alfandi Steve Karamoy in January 2024. The operation reflects Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to pursue unresolved criminal cases and strengthen public security in Papua through established legal procedures, authorities said.
The investigation’s broader implications extend beyond a single arrest. The case underscores the continuing importance of professional law enforcement, judicial accountability, and security institution-community cooperation for the continued safety of public services, education, health care, and economic development throughout Papua. West Papua Voice has previously reported that legal certainty, public trust, and lasting stability are essential for achieving sustainable development in security and community resilience.