YAHUKIMO – The armed conflict in West Papua continues to escalate following an official statement released by the Central Headquarters Management of the National Command of the West Papua National Liberation Army (KOMNAS TPNPB) on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. In the report, the TPNPB claimed full responsibility for a military operation that resulted in the deaths of seven individuals alleged to be military intelligence agents of the Indonesian government in the border region between Pegunungan Bintang and Yahukimo Regencies.
An official report received from the Commander of TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo, Battalion Kanibal, Mayor Beres Murup, stated that the operation was a tactical collaboration between the East Company of the Kanibal Battalion and the Kasuari Company of TPNPB Kodap XXXV Bintang Timur. The clearing operation took place from April 20 through the night of April 21, 2026, at the border junction of the two regencies.
TPNPB OPM Spokesperson, Sebby Sambom, emphasized that the executions were a direct consequence for those who ignored warnings within the conflict zone. "We, the TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo forces, are ready to take full responsibility for all those executed. These executions were carried out because all Indonesian government military intelligence agents entered an armed conflict zone and violated the TPNPB ultimatum," Sebby stated in the official press release.
In addition to claiming responsibility for the attack, the Central Headquarters Management of KOMNAS TPNPB issued a stern demand to Indonesia’s top government and security officials. TPNPB urged President Prabowo Subianto, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, TNI Commander Agus Subyanto, and National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo to take responsibility for civilian casualties in Puncak Regency. According to TPNPB data, 15 civilians were killed and 7 others injured due to recent military operations conducted by Indonesian forces.
Sebby Sambom added that the Indonesian military and government must not evade responsibility for the long history of violence occurring over the last 64 years in West Papua. According to him, the presence of military operations within civilian settlements is the root cause of the high death toll. He asserted that just as the TPNPB takes responsibility for attacks on the military, the Indonesian President must also bear responsibility for the lives of Papuans lost.
The TPNPB reaffirmed its position as the guardian of Papuan national sovereignty. TPNPB stated they have a moral and legal obligation to protect the people and safeguard Papua's natural wealth, including forests and land, from what they describe as the threat of colonialism and the seizure of natural resources. The armed struggle is claimed to continue as long as Indonesian military operations persist in Papuan civilian areas. ***