Intan Jaya One of the important figures of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), Enos Tipagau, was killed in a gunfight that occurred in Baitapa Village, Sugapa District, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua, Saturday (5/7).
This law enforcement operation was carried out by the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force at around 07.14 WIT after conducting an intensive investigation into Enos’ whereabouts.
Head of the Cartenz Peace Operation, Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, confirmed that the armed contact occurred as a result of an action effort against a target that had been monitored for a long time.
The action was carried out at 07.14 WIT. In the gunfight, Enos Tipagau was killed, said Brigadier General Pol Faizal in his statement.
Enos Tipagau is known to have a strategic position in the OPM structure in the Intan Jaya region. He served as the commander of the Kodap VIII operations which was active in the Tigindoga Hamlet and its surroundings, including Bilogai Village, Baitapa, and Jalai. He is also directly affiliated with the armed group led by Undius Kogoya, one of the important figures in the OPM network in Papua.
Head of Public Relations for the Cartenz Peace Operation, Senior Commissioner of Police Yusuf Sutejo, explained that Enos was not only an active member, but also a field figure who played a role in various acts of violence in the area.
This is part of the law enforcement efforts against armed groups that often carry out acts of terror and violence in Intan Jaya, said Yusuf.
Enos was previously a general criminal convict who was sentenced to three years in prison. However, he managed to escape from Nabire Class IIB Prison and then rejoined an armed group in the Papuan mountains. Since then, his name has been on the Ministry of Law and Human Rights’ wanted list (DPO) due to his involvement in a number of armed crimes.
Enos has been recorded as being involved in various acts of violence since 2021. He has shot civilians, been involved in armed clashes that killed TNI soldiers, and led attacks that resulted in the deaths of children.
One of the incidents involving him was the gunfight in Kampung Mamba that killed Prada Ginanjar, as well as the attack in October 2021 that killed a toddler and injured civilians and TNI members. He was also known to have ordered the burning of kiosks and ambulances belonging to Bilorai Airport, and was active in sending weapons and planning other attacks.
The police emphasized that this operation was part of a law enforcement strategy to eradicate armed violence that is still occurring in Papua, especially in the Intan Jaya area.
Taking action against figures such as Enos Tipagau is an important step in weakening the OPM network which has often spread threats to public security.
