INTAN JAYA – The Central Headquarters Management of the National Command of the West Papua National Liberation Army (Komnas TPNPB) released a report regarding the continuously deteriorating security situation in Intan Jaya.
In the report delivered by the Commander of TPNPB Battalion D Dulla, Major Aibon Kogoya, TPNPB highlighted a series of land and air bomb attacks by the Indonesian military targeting civilian facilities, including the Saint Paul Nabuni Catholic Church, which resulted in fatalities among local residents.
Concurrently, TPNPB released a Wanted List (DPO) status for the former Regent of Paniai Meky Nawipa as well as the Customary Community Institution (LMA) group because they are deemed to support the New Autonomous Region (DOB) expansion project of Delama Jaya Regency.
Tensions in this central mountainous region escalated following the bombing incident in Mbamogo Village on May 17, 2026, which damaged the church building and injured four civilians, where one victim among them was reported to have died after being critical.
TPNPB demanded direct responsibility from the ranks of security leaders in Jakarta, starting from President Prabowo Subianto, Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, to the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) General Agus Subyanto.
TPNPB accused that the establishment of new military posts and military-version houses of worship in the middle of civilian settlements has become the main trigger for the widening escalation of conflict and threatens the safety of local residents.
"We emphasize to the Indonesian military apparatus to stop bomb attacks through land and air against civilians and Church buildings in Intan Jaya because all of those attacks only sacrifice innocent civilians," said Aibon Kogoya, Thursday (28/5/2026).
Meanwhile, the determination of the DPO status against Meky Nawipa and the LMA network under the control of Aten Kobogau in Nabire triggered a new chapter in the rejection of regional expansion in Papua.
TPNPB threatened to take firm action up to execution-style killings in the field if the discussion regarding the formation of Delama Jaya Regency, which is planned to be capitalized in Bibida District, continues.
The expansion policy is viewed as a tactical strategy of the Indonesian colonial government to divide the mass base of the Papuan people, while the main agenda of TPNPB remains consistent on the restoration of political independence that was once declared on December 1, 1961.
This political stance was reinforced by the statement that the resistance movement under the flag of Free Papua is not driven by pragmatic interests such as scrambling for bureaucratic positions, financial compensation, or the formation of new administrative regions.
TPNPB claimed this battle is purely based on the ideology of sovereignty, so that the involvement of local elites in the government structure is assessed as being contrary to the basic aspirations of the indigenous people. Horizontal conflict is feared to emerge if regional officials still force the implementation of the DOB in the customary territory.
In order to anticipate the expansion of the battlefield, TPNPB Defense Regional Command (Kodap) VIII Intan Jaya has designated the entire Trans Nabire-Intan Jaya route as an active military zone.
TPNPB also issued an open ultimatum requesting all immigrant residents from outside Papua to immediately carry out independent evacuation from the operation area before the armed escalation increases. TPNPB forces claimed to have been on full alert within 24 hours to face open confrontation in a confrontational manner with the Indonesian military along that logistics route.
On the other side, the security operation staged by the TNI apparatus in residential settlements received sharp criticism because it is assessed as disproportionate and often mistargeted.
TPNPB urged the Indonesian military to stop shootings against vulnerable groups, such as women and children, who are frequently accused of being TPNPB sympathizers without evidence.
TPNPB also challenged back the security apparatus to divert the concentration of forces to areas outside settlements if they want to conduct open contact fire.
In addition to the regional expansion issue, agrarian conflict and the exploitation of natural resources have also become the main triggers of tension in Intan Jaya, specifically related to the plan to open the Wabu Block B gold mining concession.
TPNPB issued a stern warning for domestic as well as foreign corporations and regional officials who try to facilitate the running of the mining investment without permission from the indigenous people. All civilian corporate activities in the conflict area will be viewed as part of the expansion of integrated economic operations that must be boycotted.
The Spokesperson for TPNPB Free Papua Organization (OPM), Sebby Sambom reminded that all consequences for ignoring this declaration will be borne by each party involved in the government system as well as corporations. TPNPB stated they will continue to increase the intensity of tactical supervision in the field to ensure the resistance against Jakarta's policy runs systematically. (One Papua)