Government, Opposition trade claims over Tsak Valley police operation
The Government and Opposition are trading sharply differing accounts over a recent police operation in Tsak Valley, Wapenamenda District, Enga Province, as questions continue around its conduct and outcomes.
Prime Minister James Marape has reaffirmed the Government’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal firearms, saying the operation carried out under Operation Kumul 23 was intelligence-led and targeted at armed criminals.
“The operation at Tsak Valley was targeted. Police were acting on intelligence relating to known hired gunmen operating within the province,” Marape said in a statement.
He said police intelligence extends to gunmen, their financial backers and those sponsoring tribal violence, warning communities not to harbour criminals.
“Police will not be recalled. They will remain at work. We stand firmly behind our officers,” the Prime Minister said, while urging communities to cooperate with lawful police operations.
Marape said police were not targeting innocent civilians, but cautioned that resistance to police action would be treated as hostility.
Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr confirmed that two armed suspects were killed during the January 2 operation after allegedly opening fire on security forces.
Tsiamalili said security personnel conducted early-morning, intelligence-driven raids on two locations in Tsak Valley to recover high-powered factory-made firearms.
“At the first location, a suspect opened fire on security forces with an M16 assault rifle, wounding one officer. Security forces returned fire and the suspect was killed,” he said.
He said a second gunman, also allegedly armed with an M16, was killed at another location, while three additional suspects were arrested and weapons seized.
The Police Minister confirmed one security officer was injured and is now recovering, and said investigations are ongoing to determine how the weapons entered the area.
Tsiamalili rejected claims circulating from the Opposition, classifying them as inaccurate and misleading.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader and Chuave MP James Nomane has disputed the Government’s account, referencing a formal brief submitted to provincial authorities that alleges the operation was unauthorised and resulted in six deaths and three injuries, including civilians.
“These allegations are serious and go to the heart of constitutional policing,” Nomane said.
He claimed the brief alleges police opened fire on unarmed civilians and that the operation was not authorised by the Enga Provincial Police Command, potentially breaching the Police Force Act.
Nomane has called for the resignation of the Police Commissioner and the Minister for Police, saying public confidence in law enforcement is being undermined.
Moreover, the Government maintains the operation was lawful and necessary to counter armed criminal activity, while the Opposition continues to press for accountability and independent scrutiny.
Authorities say investigations are continuing into the Tsak Valley operation and the source of the seized firearms, as police operations remain active in Enga and other identified hotspots.
