PAPUA — Indonesian forces launched an air strike again using an unmanned aircraft by dropping explosives on the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) Headquarters of the Yuguru Battalion in the Nduga region.

​The air strike occurred on May 18, 2026, and resulted in a young soldier from the TPNPB falling in battle.

​The victim who died in the incident was identified as Engenpi Gwijangge, an 18-year-old youth.

​“The Indonesian military apparatus has carried out a drone attack on the TPNPB Yuguru Battalion headquarters on May 18, 2026, which resulted in one TPNPB force falling named Engenpi Gwijangge, aged 18 years,” said Sebby Sambom, Spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army, Friday (22/5/2026).

​Sebby Sambom said, the victim was the biological child of Major Yibet Gwijangge and was known as one of the best soldiers under the Defense Regional Command (Kodap) III Ndugama Derakma.

​Engenpi Gwijangge was said to have a major role in various combat operations launched by the TPNPB in the Nduga region against the Indonesian military.

​“He was heavily involved in TPNPB operations which resulted in many casualties from the Indonesian military during the operations taking place in Nduga,” said Sebby.

​This young soldier was reported to have grown up and raised in the environment of the TPNPB defense post since childhood.

​He then officially joined to become an elite combat force of the TPNPB in 2018 when the armed conflict situation in the Central Highlands region of Papua continued to escalate.

​The armed conflict in the Nduga region itself experienced a significant escalation since late 2018 following a series of fierce shootout incidents between the Indonesian military and the TPNPB.

​The geographical conditions of Nduga which consist of steep mountains and dense forests make this region one of the main battle centers in the Papua conflict.

​The use of drones by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in military operations in the mountainous region has also been increasingly reported by human rights monitoring organizations in recent years.

​Responding to the death of the young soldier, the internal party of the TPNPB has declared a status of national mourning over the loss of one Papuan personnel.

​“Upon the falling of Engenpi Gwijangge, the TPNPB Kodap III Ndugama Derakma from 13 Battalions and III Defense Regional Command announces national mourning to all parties for the drone attack he experienced on May 18, 2026 last,” said Sebby.

​The Management of the Central Headquarters of the TPNPB National Command stated that respect deserves to be given to the deceased because of his commitment to fighting for Papuan independence.

​The TPNPB also stated that the entire command structure from the central to regional levels will continue to proceed with the mobilization of resistance in the battlefield after this air strike. ***