Kiwirok, Pegunungan Bintang – The Kiwirok District Health Center building in Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Papua Pegunungan, once again became the target of arson by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) of Kodap XV Ngalum Kupel on Monday morning (September 29, 2025) at around 06:20 WIT. The incident triggered a firefight between the Cartenz Peace Task Force and the armed group.
Head of Cartenz Peace Operations, Brig. Gen. Faizal Ramadhani, confirmed the incident.
“Our team responded swiftly after detecting a fire at the health center. A gunfight ensued, and the group was successfully pushed back. Currently, our personnel on the ground are still conducting a sweep,” he explained.
Black smoke rising from the direction of the health center was first observed by task force personnel. On their way to the site, the security forces encountered eight KKB members carrying four firearms. From the area of Kiwirok State High School—another building that had also been set on fire by the KKB two days earlier—the task force came under fire, which led to an armed clash.
Following the exchange, the KKB retreated toward Lolim Village. Aerial surveillance later revealed that not only the health center had been burned, but also the housing facility for healthcare workers.
Deputy Head of Cartenz Peace Operations, Police Commissioner Adarma Sinaga, emphasized that security forces would remain on alert.
“Protecting the safety of the community is our top priority. We will not allow KKB’s acts of terror to threaten public security,” he asserted.
As a result of the incident, one health center building that was undergoing rehabilitation and a housing unit for healthcare workers suffered severe damage.
A similar attack had occurred in 2021 when the same Kiwirok health center was set on fire by the KKB and later rehabilitated by the government. Currently, TNI-Polri forces in Kiwirok have raised the alert status at all posts to anticipate possible follow-up attacks.
