Police and military personnel arrested two young men from Yahukimo, ES and Atios Sobolim, on the evening of 14 February 2026. They were both accused of involvement in the burning of shop houses in Block B in Dekai City, which occurred on 14 February at around 9-10 p.m. Papua time, allegedly carried out by the TPNPB.

Half an hour later, they were both arrested when they left their house to see the fire. Security forces claimed that when they were arrested, they were carrying lighters and knives. The family denied the police's accusations, saying that the lighters were used to light cigarettes and the knives were commonly used for everyday purposes such as cutting fruit or cleaning fish.

The following day, it was reported that security officers were still conducting raids and searches of a number of residents' homes.