The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary’s elite Police Tactical Group, Operation KUMUL 23, conducted ground patrols across Enga Province on Saturday 27th June 2026 as part of the sustained joint security operation targeting illegal firearms and violent offenders in the province.
The Kumul 23, operating alongside Mobile Squads and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF), brings specialist capabilities, drone surveillance, reconnaissance, rapid forced entry and intelligence-led targeting directly to bear on the most volatile environments in Enga. This is one force, unified, with a single mission.
The patrol on Saturday was not a show of force; it is modern policing. The Kumul 23 moving through Enga sends a clear message. The RPNGC and State Security Forces are here, we see you, and if you are carrying an illegal firearm or threatening, we are coming for you. Any time. Any place.
Enga Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Superintendent Steven Harris said the security picture in Enga is shifting, and the RPNGC’s posture would not ease until every community in the province is safe. The Intelligence-driven operations continue to detect threats before they escalate, deny offenders freedom of movement, and deter further acts of criminal violence.
The Upper Highlands Special Operations Commander, Anthony Wagambie Jr however said that the Kumul 23 exists for exactly these environments where conventional policing alone cannot reach the threat.
Mr Wagambie said they (police) have trained hard, have the intelligence, capability, and know who the agitators are, and they know who harbouring suspects and weapons is. He said the question for them now is how long do they think they can run and hide?
PPC Harris said those who carry illegal firearms, direct or participate in organised violence, or harbour offenders and weapons face serious consequences. The Counter-Terrorism Act 2024 and the Criminal Code apply to everyone. The law is armed and it is being used.
“I will not mediate with criminals and will not negotiate with criminals. I have been very clear about that, and it is not changing. The only conversation with you is about how you want to come into custody.
“The law is not the property of the educated, the privilege of the elite. Every person in Papua New Guinea, the child of a privileged family, the child of a hardworking street vendor, the child of a farmer in the highlands, every one of them deserves the protection of the law and under my command, they will have it – not the offer of belkol/compensation for a human life,” PPC Harris said.
PPC Harris said the operations and patrols are continuing across the Region. He said they are active across the entire Region, just because criminals haven’t seen them doesn’t mean they are not watching.
