The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has claimed responsibility for the execution of 11 illegal gold miners in Yahukimo, Papua, while alleging the casualties as soldiers disguising themselves as gold miners in a mission to infiltrate their operational areas.
In a statement released on Tuesday night, April 8, 2025, TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom confirmed the killings, stating that the operation took place over three days, from April 6 to April 8, 2025.
"The execution was carried out by TPNPB’s 16th Defense Region Yahukimo, with the support of troops from 3rd Defense Region Ndugama Derakma," Sambom said.
According to the report, the executions were led by Yamue Battalion Commander Major Homy Heluka and WoSeM Battalion Commander Giban, along with operational commanders Dejen Heluka and Karis Giban. Besides the 11 fatalities, three other Indonesian Military (TNI) members were reportedly injured.
"We ask the [Indonesian] government to stop sending troops disguised as gold panners, builders, or meatball sellers to Papua. We will kill them," Sambom said.
The claim follows recent escalations of violence between Indonesian security forces and TPNPB, the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), which seeks independence from Indonesia. The TNI headquarters has yet to respond to the group's statement, nor confirm the claims made by the TPNPB regarding the execution of the 11 soldiers.
Spokesman of the Cendrawasih Regional Military Command, which oversees provinces in Indonesia’s part of Papua, Colonel Candra Kurniawan said that they have not received any information regarding such an incident.
“We have no information as yet on when and where this incident happened?” Kurniawan said on Tuesday evening.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Head of Information Center of the Indonesian Military Forces (TNI), Brigadier General Kristomei Sianturi, stated that TNI will not add more troops to confront security disturbances conducted by the National Liberation Army of West Papua-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM). He said TNI will continue to carry out its duties as usual to secure the Papua region.
"A humanistic, dialogic, and territorial approach will still be prioritized in accordance with the orders of the TNI Commander," Kristomei said in a short message to Tempo on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
The territorial approach is carried out in response to the statement of TPNPB-OPM who are ready to fight against Indonesian military. "OPM always issues propaganda statements like this to intimidate the people, threaten, and intimidate the community," Kristomei said.
Previously, TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom stated that their group is ready to fight if the government does not immediately recognize the sovereignty rights of Papua. "We are ready to wage war until doomsday, if the Indonesian government does not recognize the sovereignty rights of the Papuan people and conveyed to Papuan officials to stop their activities as agents of killing for the Papuan people," Sebby said in a written statement on Tuesday.
He mentioned that the declaration of war is a result of the aftermath of the shooting of foreigners in Kuala Kencana, Timika, Papua Province. Sebby said the shooting incident was carried out by Indonesian military personnel assigned to the area.
"The shooting of Pilot Glenn in Alama-Mimika District and other foreigners as well as Papuans killed by the Indonesian Government Military were all done for money," he said.
According to him, besides money, the main mission of Indonesian military personnel in carrying out the shooting was to add war equipment. Sebby mentioned that the incident was also to secure foreign and national companies in the Papua region.
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