NDUGA — The escalation of armed conflict in the Ndugama region has heated up again following a heavy gunfight between the West Papua National Liberation Army forces and the Indonesian military apparatus. The Management of the TPNPB KOMNAS Central Headquarters reported that the incident broke out on April 29, 2026, at Mount Alma, on the banks of the Yuguru River, lasting for three hours from morning until noon. This fierce battle resulted in one TNI member, identified as Praka Aprianus, being killed and another in critical condition, while on the TPNPB side, the Operations Commander of the Mugi Battalion, Mayor Ket Gwijangge, fell on the battlefield.
The official report received from the Commander of TPNPB Kodap III Ndugama Derakma, Brigjend Egianus Kogeya, stated that Mayor Ket Gwijangge was one of the best soldiers owned by TPNPB. The deceased was recorded to have joined since 2017 and had a long track record in various gunfight actions against the Indonesian military in various operational areas such as Kenyam, Yigi, Mugi, and Mapnduma. The passing of Mayor Ket Gwijangge is a major blow to TPNPB Kodap III Ndugama Derakma, which has now officially announced national mourning along with all ranks from 3 Kowip and 13 Battalions.
In this atmosphere of grief, the Commander of the Yuguru Battalion, Mayor Yibet Gwijangge, called for the strengthening of the resistance ranks for all TPNPB forces in the field. Mayor Yibet Gwijangge emphasized that the TPNPB struggle is purely based on political ideals for full sovereignty, not for material interests or positions under the administration of the Indonesian government. TPNPB instructed all its forces to remain on standby and take decisive action against military apparatus and intelligence agents operating in the conflict zone.
"Our struggle is not to seek food, drink, money or positions in the Indonesian colonial government, but our struggle is to reclaim the independence of the Papuan nation," Mayor Yibet Gwijangge emphasized in his report. This statement reinforces TPNPB's position in rejecting any form of compromise with the Indonesian side before official recognition of independence is granted.
The Management of the TPNPB Central Headquarters through Spokesperson Sebby Sambom also expressed condolences over the death of Praka Aprianus as well as the fall of Mayor Ket Gwijangge. TPNPB also sent an open message to President Prabowo Subianto that the intensity of the war will not decrease as long as the military occupation continues in the Land of Papua. TPNPB stressed that the armed conflict territory will remain a deadly combat zone for anyone representing Indonesian military interests.
The firm message concluded with a warning that the war for the independence of the Papuan nation will continue until the state of Indonesia recognizes Papuan sovereignty. TPNPB emphasized that all Indonesian military apparatus and intelligence agents who continue to enter the armed conflict territory are ready to be executed and shot dead by TPNPB forces if found in the field. This serves as a stern warning that the security situation in the central highlands of Papua is still far from stable. ***