TIMIKA — A cloud of grief has once again shrouded the Land of Amungsa after a teenage student was reported to be a fatal victim in a military operation launched by security forces in the Timika region, Central Papua, during the period of May 7–8, 2026. The victim, identified as Nalince Wamang, a 17-year-old female student, lost her life due to gunshot wounds amidst the security operation taking place in the mining area.
Based on reports gathered by the Human Rights Defender (HRD), Nalince was a student who had just completed her school exams at SMK Petra, Mimika Regency. While awaiting her graduation, she decided to join her family at the traditional gold panning site around Mile 69–71. She took this step to help her family's economy and to save money to continue her education to the university level that she dreamed of.
However, the future hopes of this student born on April 1, 2009, were instantly shattered when a live bullet, strongly suspected to belong to TNI personnel from the Rajawali Task Force, struck her body during the military operation in the region. A representative of humanitarian activists stated that this incident is a bleak portrait of civilian protection in conflict areas. "The victim was merely a student struggling to find funds for her future, but instead had to face the muzzle of a gun in her own birthplace," the activist said with a tone of deep concern.
The victim's family remains overwhelmed by profound grief over the loss of their daughter who was enthusiastically preparing for college. "We are just small people seeking a living to put our child through school, but why must our child be the target of hot lead?" expressed one of the victim's relatives in the received release.
The passing of Nalince Wamang adds to the long list of civilians who have fallen victim to a series of security operations that often disregard the safety of residents in sensitive areas.
Until this news was published, data regarding the possibility of other victims from the military operation in the Timika region is still being verified by the team on the ground. Humanitarian activists urge for an independent investigation to be conducted immediately to fully investigate the shooting of Nalince Wamang and demand legal accountability for the parties involved.
This tragedy serves as a harsh reminder to the government and policymakers that security operations in Papua continue to take a humanitarian toll that is far too expensive for the indigenous Papuan people. ***