DEKAI – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) provided an explanation regarding the execution of Yantinus Kogoya, also known as Kumis, and his wife, Shelly Wenda, in Yahukimo Regency. The explanation was delivered in the Second Press Release of the Central Headquarters Management of the National Committee (KOMNAS) of the TPNPB, issued on Saturday (25/7/2026), in response to the growing information surrounding the incident.

​The TPNPB said the explanation was based on a report from the Commander of Operations of Kodap XVI Yahukimo, Major Kopitua Heluka, together with the Commander of Operations of Yamue Battalion, Dejang Heluka, as well as troops from Kodap III Ndugama Derakma of Wesem Battalion. According to the TPNPB, the field report concluded that Yantinus Kogoya and Shelly Wenda were directly involved in Indonesian military operations against TPNPB forces in Yahukimo.

​"The execution of Yantinus Kogoya, also known as Kumis, and his wife Shelly Wenda was carried out in accordance with the facts on the ground because the victims were indeed agents of the Indonesian government's military intelligence," Major Kopitua Heluka said, Saturday (25/7/2026).

​The TPNPB explained that Yantinus Kogoya and Shelly Wenda had previously brought heavy equipment into the operational area of Kodap XVI Yahukimo for the interests of a company. After their access was restricted by the TPNPB, the two were said to have returned with members of the Indonesian military to continue land clearing.

​In addition, the TPNPB said Yantinus Kogoya had on several occasions accompanied members of the Indonesian military into the operational area by air and via the Trans Papua route. According to the TPNPB, those operations resulted in attacks on its forces, causing a number of TPNPB members to be killed during armed clashes and bombing attacks.

​"We personally saw the victims together with the Indonesian military on the battlefield. At that time, an armed clash was taking place, so we were unable to take photographs or videos as evidence," Major Kopitua Heluka said.

​The TPNPB also said Yantinus Kogoya was a former TPNPB member who later settled in Dekai. According to the TPNPB, after arriving in the town, Yantinus established ties with the Deputy Police Chief of Yahukimo and used an official police vehicle to travel with members of the Indonesian military throughout several areas of Yahukimo.

​The TPNPB said those actions led security forces to discover the positions of a number of its members. As a result, several TPNPB members were said to have been arrested, shot dead, or abducted during various security operations.

​In addition, the TPNPB stated that Yantinus Kogoya had taken one long-barrel firearm belonging to Kodap XVI Yahukimo and handed it over to the Indonesian military. According to the TPNPB, the incident became one of the reasons behind the decision to execute Yantinus Kogoya.

​"Yantinus Kogoya took one long-barrel firearm belonging to TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo and then handed the firearm over to the Indonesian military," Major Kopitua Heluka said.

​Meanwhile, the TPNPB stressed that the action against Yantinus Kogoya and Shelly Wenda was carried out under the rules applied during wartime. The TPNPB also urged those said to be assisting Indonesian military operations in Yahukimo to stop their activities.

​"We ask all agents of the Indonesian government's military intelligence who are operating in Yahukimo to stop immediately. We also ask the families of Yantinus Kogoya and Shelly Wenda to understand the situation in the operational area of TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo and not to build opinions without knowing the conditions on the ground," Major Kopitua Heluka said. (One Papua)