NABIRE — The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) announced the shifting of the war command area from Intan Jaya Regency to the Trans Nabire-Ilaga Road. This shift is accompanied by demands for the Indonesian military to immediately stop all air and land operations in the residential areas of Intan Jaya.
"Since August 2025 until April 2026 we carried out war in the center of Nabire City against the Indonesian military apparatus," said the Commander of the Defense Regional Command (Kodap) VIII Intan Jaya, Major Aibon Kogoya, Saturday (6/6/2026).
In the series of gunfights in Nabire, TPNPB mentioned the Indonesian military confiscated 561 rounds of ammunition belonging to TPNPB. However, in the same period, TPNPB also succeeded in seizing more than 1000 rounds of ammunition, confiscating two long-barrelled firearms, as well as shooting dead two TNI members.
The armed esclation in Intan Jaya, Paniai, and Nabire is referred to as an effort by TPNPB to reject Indonesian sovereignty. TPNPB bases the movement on the proclamation of Papua independence on 1 December 1961 which was once recognized by the Netherlands, before finally being taken over by Indonesia through the People's Triple Command Operation (Trikora) sparked by President Soekarno on 19 December 1961.
The demand for the cessation of this military operation is addressed directly to President Prabowo Subianto, TNI Commander General Agus Subyanto, and Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. TPNPB urges the Indonesian military to stop the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), land bombs, and landmines near residential areas.
"Our war zone is on the Trans Nabire Road. If you want to look for me please come to the Trans Nabire Road, do not kill innocent civilians anymore in Intan Jaya especially mothers, small children and pastors as well as carrying out bomb attacks on churches," said Aibon Kogoya.
In addition to announcing the relocation of the battle zone, TPNPB issued a strict mandate to the regional government, including the Regent of Intan Jaya, the Regional House of Representatives (DPR) of Intan Jaya, and tribal chiefs. TPNPB ordered the cancellation of all discussions on investment and exploitation of mining commodities in the region.
The main target of this rejection is the gold mining plan in Block B Wabu, Intan Jaya Regency. TPNPB assesses that the presence of domestic and multinational corporations in Papua correlates directly with an increase in the intensity of security operations that sacrifice civilians.
The condition in Intan Jaya is feared that its impact will be similar to the Tembagapura region, where PT Freeport McMoRan has operated since 1967 under the strict security of the Indonesian military. Mining activities in the area are said to trigger prolonged armed conflict and produce industrial waste that damages the ecosystem of indigenous peoples extending to the Merauke region.
Meanwhile, the Management of the Central Headquarters of the National Command (Komnas) TPNPB stated it will tightly escort all instructions for the cessation of this natural resource investment. This step is taken to minimize the bad impacts of environmental destruction for the future generations of Papua. (One Papua)