Paniai, a beautiful district in Central Papua Province, West Papua, Indonesia, has once again witnessed terror and violence committed by Papuan separatists. The brutal attack occurred when Papuan Separatists attacked a resident and burned several kiosks and schools in the area. This tragic incident caused panic among the community and showed the real threat posed by this armed group.

According to Papuan Police Public Relations, Police Commissioner Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo, the attack occurred on Tuesday (21/05) at around 21.35 GMT +9, when two people suspected of being members of the Papuan Separatists came to a kiosk belonging to Arwin (34) in Madi Village, East Paniai District. They initially pretended to want to buy cigarettes, but suddenly one of them shot, hitting a helmet that was inside the kiosk house. Luckily, Arwin managed to survive the attack.

The Papuan Separatists’ violent actions did not stop there. At around 00.15 GMT +9, they burned no less than 12 kiosks at the Kopo Kampung Madi T-junction, East Paniai District. A quick response from the security forces followed the incident, but the situation escalated when Papuan Separatists opened fire at TNI-Polri personnel who were about to evacuate residents around the location where the kiosk was burned.

However, the good news is that there were no casualties in the firefight. Security forces remain alert and try to maintain public safety amidst ongoing tensions. However, the Papuan Separatists’ violent actions did not stop there.

On Wednesday (22/05) at around 02.55 GMT +9, Papuan Separatists carried out another attack by burning down the YPPGI Kepas Kopo PAUD, Elementary School and Junior High School buildings. These actions not only damage infrastructure, but also disrupt children’s education and social stability in the region.

Luckily, Indonesian Army-Police personnel managed to evacuate the teachers and their families to the Paniai City Police station, which included 23 people including men, women and children. However, the situation remains tense and joint TNI-Polri personnel continue to be on standby around the Kopo junction to anticipate further attacks from Papuan Separatists.

The attacks carried out by Papuan Separatists in Paniai not only damaged infrastructure, but also created fear and instability among the community. The efforts of the government and security forces in responding to this attack are key in maintaining security and order in the area.