MAYBRAT - Three civilians were reported to have suffered gunshot wounds until critical in a shooting incident allegedly involving members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces in Maybrat Regency, Southwest Papua Province. The shooting incident occurred in the resident garden area around the outskirts of the Aifat Estuary.
The incident began when military personnel from the Indonesian Navy unit occupying the Sory Post in Aifam Village carried out a military operation. The operation targeted the areas of Aifam Village, Ainot, and the Middle East Aifat District.
The civilians who became victims in this event were respectively named Silvester Asem, Anike Fatie, and Selviana Sory. The victims suffered gunshot wounds on different parts of the body until penetrating.
Silvester Asem suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh until penetrating. Anike Fatie suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder until penetrating the ear.
Selviana Sory also suffered a gunshot wound to the calf of the foot until penetrating. All three victims are now reported to be in critical condition due to these injuries.
In addition to wounding three civilians, the shooting also killed three dogs belonging to the victims on the same day. The shooting incident occurred on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at around 6:30 PM.
Based on the chronology of events, initially the three residents went from their home in Aifam Village toward the garden belonging to Anike Fatie located in the Aifat Estuary. Upon arriving at the garden, Anike Fatie burned taro with the intention of continuing bathing activities around that garden area.
Meanwhile, two other victims namely Silvester Asem and Selviana Sory were inside the garden hut. Suddenly, the sound of repeated gunshots was heard around the location.
Anike Fatie who was walking toward the Aifat Estuary with three dogs initially thought the sound was the sound of firecrackers. However, she then found her three dogs lying dead after being shot.
Seeing her pets shot dead, Anike Fatie ran approaching and hugging the carcass of the dog. Unfortunately, she then also became the target of shooting from behind by the military personnel.
Silvester Asem who felt afraid due to the repeated gunshot sounds tried to run out of the hut. However, he was immediately shot down.
Mrs. Selviana Sory who was inside the hut was approached by the military personnel and then also shot. All victims are currently still in critical condition.
The Central Headquarters Management of the West Papua National Liberation Army emphasized that the shooting incident constitutes a violation of law and human rights. The crime scene area is said to still be within the civilian residential area.
The West Papua National Liberation Army stated there was no armed troop activity in that area when the operation took place. The shooting incident is said to have occurred unilaterally without any action or attack disturbance from the West Papua National Liberation Army that endangered military personnel or civilians.
The West Papua National Liberation Army urged President Prabowo Subianto, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, and Indonesian Armed Forces Commander Agus Subyanto to uphold international humanitarian law.
The West Papua National Liberation Army even asked the United Nations to immediately form an investigation and inquiry team regarding alleged war crimes in the Land of Papua.
"We urge the United Nations to grant a mandate to the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Human Rights Council to conduct a war crime investigation in the Land of Papua," said West Papua National Liberation Army Spokesperson Sebby Sambom, Friday, August 14, 2026.
The West Papua National Liberation Army also asked for attention to the condition of 125,931 civilians who have fled due to armed conflict in various regions. These refugees are now in a humanitarian crisis due to the lack of refugee handling in the Land of Papua. (One Papua)