The road connecting Logpon to Dekai in Yahukimo Regency is often quiet in the afternoon. It cuts through dense forest and rolling hills, serving as a critical transport route for goods and workers in one of Indonesia’s most remote regions. On Friday afternoon, January 30, 2026, that silence was broken by gunfire.
At approximately 15:20 local time (WIT), a civilian truck driver was shot while driving along the Logpon route toward Dekai, the administrative capital of Yahukimo. The incident quickly drew attention from local residents, security forces, and national media, as it appeared to be another violent episode linked to the long-running armed conflict in Papua involving the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the military wing of the Free Papua Movement (OPM).
The Moment the Shooting Occurred
The victim was identified by police as Jany Trio Mayaut, a 42-year-old truck driver who regularly transported goods between districts in Yahukimo. That afternoon, Mayaut was at the wheel of a box truck, making his way along a remote stretch of road near KM 7 Logpon, a place known for its seclusion and spotty cell service.
According to police reports and what witnesses saw, gunfire erupted unexpectedly from the side of the road, likely originating from a wooded area close by. The vehicle was hit by several bullets. One round found its mark, striking Mayaut in his upper right arm, and the pain was immediate, accompanied by a great deal of blood.
Even with the injury, Mayaut didn’t stop. He kept driving, heading toward Dekai, intent on getting away from the scene as fast as he could. This choice, it seems, may have kept things from getting worse, possibly saving lives. Once in Dekai, he was rushed to RSUD Dekai Hospital, where doctors treated his wounds.
Hospital officials later reported that Mayaut was awake and stable. Though the gunshot wound wasn’t life-threatening, he would need ongoing observation and care.
Evidence collected at the scene painted a clearer picture. Soon after the shooting was reported, police and the Task Forces of Damai Cartenz personnel arrived to secure the area. Investigators discovered numerous bullet holes in the truck’s body and windows, indicating it had been specifically targeted.
Spent shell casings were also retrieved from the roadside, bolstering the idea that the attack was premeditated and executed by armed individuals who knew the area. Witnesses told officers they saw people with guns fleeing into the nearby forest shortly after the gunfire.
In response, security forces immediately increased patrols along the Logpon Dekai corridor, a vital supply route for food, fuel, and building materials.
Police Suspect Armed Separatist Group Involvement
Within hours of the incident, police stated that initial evidence pointed toward an armed separatist group operating in the Yahukimo area. Indonesian authorities often refer to such groups as armed criminal groups but in this case specifically indicated links to TPNPB OPM, which has been active in the region recently.
A spokesperson for the Papua Regional Police explained that the shooting matched patterns seen in previous attacks carried out by armed separatist factions. These include ambushes on isolated roads, the use of small arms, and rapid withdrawal into forested areas that are difficult to access.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident, treating it as a serious armed attack against a civilian rather than a random criminal act.
TPNPB Claims Circulate Through Alternative Media
Following the shooting, statements circulated through platforms linked to separatist networks claiming responsibility for attacks in the Dekai area. In these statements, Sebby Sambom, a spokesman of TPNPB, claimed that its fighters had conducted armed operations and warned non-local residents to avoid what they described as conflict zones.
While such claims cannot always be independently verified, security officials acknowledged that they were aware of the statements and were incorporating intelligence assessments into their ongoing operations. Authorities cautioned the public against spreading unverified information, emphasizing that misinformation could increase fear and instability.
Impact on the Local Community
The shooting quickly spread anxiety among residents of Dekai and surrounding villages. The Logpon road is essential for daily life in Yahukimo, used by traders, teachers, health workers, and drivers transporting basic goods.
Local leaders reported that some residents temporarily avoided travel along the route following the incident, particularly in the late afternoon. Small businesses dependent on truck deliveries expressed concern about potential disruptions if security conditions worsened. Community leaders are demanding a stronger security presence and are imploring everyone to refrain from actions that jeopardize civilians. The shooting, for many, underscored the feeling of insecurity that has gripped Papua’s highlands for years.
Security operations were ramped up. The Task Forces of Damai Cartenz responded by sending more personnel to Yahukimo. Police and military units joined forces, patrolling the area to find those responsible and prevent any further violence.
Security officials explained that their primary goal was to safeguard civilians and keep essential transportation routes open. They also stressed the importance of working with local communities to gather intelligence and establish early warning systems.
Police are asking residents to stay calm, avoid panicking, and report anything unusual.
They stressed the importance of keeping the public roadways safe, preventing them from becoming a war zone, and protecting civilians from harm.
The Papuan conflict’s history can’t be ignored when considering the shooting of the truck driver in Yahukimo. This conflict, which has raged for years, is rooted in the aspirations of armed groups, associated with the OPM, for independence from Indonesia. This has resulted in repeated violence involving security forces, separatist fighters, and, unfortunately, civilians who find themselves in the crossfire.
Yahukimo, with its difficult terrain and underdeveloped infrastructure, has become a base of operations for these armed groups, allowing them a degree of freedom. The area’s dense forests, mountains, and scattered population make law enforcement challenging.
Lately, civilian targets in Papua have been increasingly affected, including construction workers, miners, and drivers.
These attacks have sparked outrage from the Indonesian government and prompted human rights advocates to worry about the safety of those caught in the crossfire.
Civilian Vulnerability on Remote Roads
The Yahukimo shooting underscores the perils faced by civilians in conflict zones. Truck drivers, such as Mayaut, are essential to the local economy, but their jobs expose them to dangers that go far beyond typical road risks.
Security experts point out that isolated roads are especially susceptible to ambushes. Poor visibility, the absence of quick help, and the vast distances between communities create an environment where attacks can happen with little notice.
For the people of Yahukimo, the road represents more than just infrastructure; it’s a matter of survival.
Transport disruptions have a ripple effect, impacting the cost of food, the availability of medical supplies, and access to both education and healthcare.
Government officials, in the wake of the incident, reiterated their dedication to reestablishing security and safeguarding civilian movement. Law enforcement, they stated, would continue to target acts of violence against non-combatants.
Residents were advised to stay informed through official channels and to refrain from sharing unverified information. Authorities further emphasized that lasting stability in Papua hinges on more than just security; it demands dialogue, development initiatives, and the cultivation of trust with local populations.
Jany Trio Mayaut’s recovery in the hospital underscored the human toll of Papua’s conflict. He wasn’t a combatant or a politician; he was a civilian, simply doing his job on a public road.
For those in Yahukimo, the shooting wasn’t just another story. It shattered the routine and vividly highlighted the unresolved tensions that still define the area.
The investigation into the attack is still underway, with security forces actively pursuing those responsible. Meanwhile, the people of Yahukimo hold out hope that this incident will spur renewed efforts to safeguard civilians and curb further violence on Papua’s roads.
In a place where the landscape already presents challenges, the chance to travel without fear is a fundamental aspiration for the local population.