YAHUKIMO - The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) states responsibility for the burning of public facilities in Manggalum District, Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua. The facilities burned include a health office building and a school building.
The burning action was reported to have occurred in late April 2026. This incident is called part of the escalation of the armed conflict involving TPNPB and Indonesian security forces in the region.
The Operations Commander of TPNPB Yamue Battalion, Major Dejang Heluka, confirms the involvement of TPNPB in the incident. TPNPB also issues an open challenge to the Indonesian military to engage in direct confrontation on the battlefield.
"The burning of the health office house and the school, it was truly us, the troops from the Yamue Battalion, who did it," said Dejang Heluka, Friday (5/6/2026).
The Spokesperson of the TPNPB National Command, Sebby Sambom, confirms having received an official report from the management of the Kodap XVI Yahukimo defense regarding the action.
Sebby Sambom states that the operation to burn the school building and the health facility in Manggalum District was under the command of the Yahukimo Regional Commander, Major Kopi Tua Heluka, alongside the Yamue Battalion Command, Kumis Passe, and the Operations Commander of the Yamue Battalion, Major Dejang Heluka.
In a separate place, Dejang Heluka demands the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to stop sweep operations in residential areas of citizens. According to TPNPB, the actions of security forces post-incident have triggered fear and the potential for a wave of displacement of civilians in Manggalum Village.
Meanwhile, the security situation in Yahukimo is reported to remain tense along with increasing armed activity. TPNPB states readiness to face TNI-Polri forces, but requests that the battlefield be kept away from civilian settlements to avoid civilian casualties.
TPNPB also urges the President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, and his government ranks to immediately open negotiation space to discuss the right to full independence for West Papua. TPNPB calls the surrender of sovereignty and the return of the right over Papua's natural wealth as their main demands.
The structure of the Regional Defense Command (Kodap) XVI Yahukimo states all troops are in a standby position. The regional coordinator, Major Kopi Tua Heluka, emphasizes that the armed resistance will continue until there is international recognition of sovereignty for West Papua. TPNPB also ensures that coordination between battalions in the central highlands region is now increasingly intensified. (One Papua)