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View all search resultsTNI rescues Freeport workers from OPM’s threats
TNI personnel under the Operation Command (Koops) Habema carried out the rescue in difficult terrain with a high level of threat and a limited time frame as crucial factors.
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Gold and copper producer PT Freeport Indonesia workers take a rest after being rescued by soldiers from the Indonesian Military's (TNI) Operation Comand (Koops) Habema at Tower Post 270 in Timika regency, Central Papua, this pictured issued on Jan. 12, 2026, by TNI headquarters. The workers were trapped for three days due to security threats by the Free Papua Organization (OPM) armed group before being rescued on Jan. 10, 2026. (Courtesy of TNI/-)
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ndonesian Military (TNI) soldiers managed to rescue gold miner PT Freeport Indonesia (FI) workers who were trapped at Post tower 270 for three days by threats from the Free Papua Movement (OPM) armed group, the TNI said in a press release issued on Monday.
TNI personnel under the Operation Command (Koops) Habema carried out the rescue in difficult terrain with a high level of threat and a limited time frame as crucial factors. The TNI carried out planned, measured and professional steps to rescue all trapped personnel without any losses.
The rescue operations started on Jan. 10, after the workers were trapped due to security disturbances in the remote mountainous area, the Defense Ministry said in a separate statement. The 18 workers were evacuated without any fire exchange in the operation, which prioritized the safety of all personnel and civilians.
“All operation stages were conducted with mature planning and tactical discipline so there were no fatalities, both from the workers and TNI personnel involved in the operation,” Koops Habema commanding general Maj. Gen. Lucky Avianto said in the ministry’s release.
“The soldiers’ movement was conducted stealthily through extreme mountainous terrain at a height of 2,500 meters above sea level,” he said.
To maintain the operation's progress and ensure the workers’ conditions remain stable, the task force also deployed aerial support by dropping aid using a cargo drone.
After two days of operation, the task force managed to reclaim control of Tower Post 270, which is part of a National Vital Object, and evacuated all workers safely and under control.
