2) Papuan rebel leader killed in Highland Papua
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Human Rights Monitor
https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/military-members-shot-and-tortured-minor-in-pegunungan-bintang/
1) Military members shot and tortured minor in Pegunungan Bintang
On 4 August 2025, 17-year-old Naris Kalakmabin, a motorcycle taxi driver from Alutbakon Village, Oksop District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Highland Papua Province, was shot in the right leg by members of the Border Security Task Force (Satgas Pamtas RI–PNG Statis Koops Swasembada Yonif 751/VJS). The incident occurred in the Serambakon Village, Serambakon District, while Naris was transporting passengers from Seram Village to the town of Oksibil, the regency capital. After being shot, soldiers tortured Naris and later admitted him to the Marthen Indey Army Hospital in Jayapura City. Naris’ parents were not informed of his transfer and only learned of his condition afterwards.
On the morning of 4 August 2025, Naris Kalakmabin was driving on the route between Seram Village and Oksibil. At around 08:53 am, military members wanted to stop Naris while passing a TNI checkpoint in Serambakon. Having a negative experience with such checks, Naris continued driving. In response, TNI personnel began shouting, “There is an enemy”. About 100 meters after the post, Naris saw that the military members had set up a second checkpoint. Being afraid of the military personnel, he stopped the motorcycle on the roadside and ran into the forest. Thereupon, military members released multiple shots, one of which struck Naris below the right knee.
Following the shooting, military members tortured Naris on the roadside. Punching and kicking him on the temple and forehead while interrogating him at the scene. Thereupon, military personnel brought a chicken and other food supplies, trying to force a confession, saying that Naris intended to bring the food supplies to West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) members hiding in the forest. Various residents witnessed the torture as they were passing the road. Despite torture and psychological pressure, Naris kept denying that the supplies belonged to him. The soldiers eventually admitted Naris to a local hospital after the interrogations did not reveal any ties with the TPNPB. At around 1:00 pm, he was transferred to Jayapura for surgery at the Marthen Indey Military Hospital (see photos on top and below, source: independent HRDs), where he remains under strict military guard. Doctors indicated that the full recovery may take up to 6 months.
Relatives demand the immediate and unconditional release of Naris Kalakmabin to his family, with access to independent medical care and legal counsel.
Human rights analysis
This case constitutes multiple grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including the right to life and physical integrity (Article 6, ICCPR), the prohibition of arbitrary arrest and detention (Article 9, ICCPR), the prohibition of torture (Article 1, CAT), and the rights of the child (CRC), particularly the obligation to ensure protection from violence and unlawful detention for persons under 18 years of age.
Naris Kalakmabin was shot without due cause while unarmed and engaging in lawful civilian activity. He was apprehended without a warrant, judicial oversight, or justification, following a broader pattern of militarisation and disproportionate force used by Indonesian security forces in the central highlands. The targeting of civilians, especially minors, under the pretext of security operations reflects a systemic disregard for human rights norms.
Naris Kalakmabin at the Marthen Indey Military hospital in Jayapura, 5 August 2025
Detailed Case Data
Location: Serambakon, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Papua, Indonesia (-4.8557903, 140.5009203) TNI Post at Serambakon Village
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Bintang Mountains, Serambakon
Total number of victims: 1
Location: Serambakon, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Papua, Indonesia (-4.8557903, 140.5009203) TNI Post at Serambakon Village
Region: Indonesia, Highland Papua, Bintang Mountains, Serambakon
Total number of victims: 1
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | 1 | Naris Kalakmabin | diverse | 17 | Indigenous Peoples |
Perpetrator: , Indonesian Army (TNI-AD)
Perpetrator details: Satgas Pamtas RI–PNG Statis Koops Swasembada Yonif 751/VJS
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence----------------------------------------
2) Papuan rebel leader killed in Highland Papua
August 7, 2025 15:48 GMT+700
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) confirmed on Thursday that Mayer Wenda alias Kuloi Wonda, a rebel leader of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), was slain while resisting arrest in Highland Papua province.
According to a TNI press release, TNI personnel laid an ambush for Wenda in Mukoni sub-district, Lanny Jaya district, Highland Papua, on Tuesday.
Wenda, who resisted arrest, exchanged fire with the Indonesian officers before being fatally shot along with another person, identified as his brother.
According to head of the TNI Information Office, Major General Kristomei Sianturi, Wenda—known to be the deputy commander of an OPM military command in Lanny Jaya—had been on the TNI’s wanted list for over a decade.
“Mayer Wenda alias Kuloi Wonda was our fugitive who has been included in the wanted list since 2014,” Sianturi said.
As per official records, Wenda had been perpetrating crimes against the state since 2012, when he attacked and burned a police office in Pirime, Lanny Jaya district, and killed a police officer in Tolikara.
He was also reportedly responsible for intercepting and attacking security officers patrolling in Lanny Jaya in 2014, the TNI information office said.
The major general said that the TNI is committed to maintaining security in Papua and preserving Indonesia’s integrity by taking action against the Free Papua Movement.
“This success proved that every action of TNI officers against armed groups has been conducted professionally, measurably, and in line with Indonesian laws,” Sianturi added.
Over the past few years, armed Papuan groups have often employed hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian security personnel and mounted acts of terror against civilians in the districts of Intan Jaya, Nduga, Puncak, and Maybrat to incite fear among the people.
The targets of such acts of terror have included construction workers, motorcycle taxi (ojek) drivers, teachers, students, street food vendors, and also civilian aircraft.
In one high-profile case, New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens was taken hostage by the Egianus Kogoya-led armed group after landing his Susi Air plane in Papua’s Nduga district on February 7, 2023. He was held captive for over a year before being released in September 2024.
Related news: Papuan rebels killed civilians, not TNI personnel: ministry
Related news: Armed Papuan insurgent shot in thigh in Central Papua: Police
Related news: Soldier survives Papuan insurgent attack in Dekai: Police
According to a TNI press release, TNI personnel laid an ambush for Wenda in Mukoni sub-district, Lanny Jaya district, Highland Papua, on Tuesday.
Wenda, who resisted arrest, exchanged fire with the Indonesian officers before being fatally shot along with another person, identified as his brother.
According to head of the TNI Information Office, Major General Kristomei Sianturi, Wenda—known to be the deputy commander of an OPM military command in Lanny Jaya—had been on the TNI’s wanted list for over a decade.
“Mayer Wenda alias Kuloi Wonda was our fugitive who has been included in the wanted list since 2014,” Sianturi said.
As per official records, Wenda had been perpetrating crimes against the state since 2012, when he attacked and burned a police office in Pirime, Lanny Jaya district, and killed a police officer in Tolikara.
He was also reportedly responsible for intercepting and attacking security officers patrolling in Lanny Jaya in 2014, the TNI information office said.
The major general said that the TNI is committed to maintaining security in Papua and preserving Indonesia’s integrity by taking action against the Free Papua Movement.
“This success proved that every action of TNI officers against armed groups has been conducted professionally, measurably, and in line with Indonesian laws,” Sianturi added.
Over the past few years, armed Papuan groups have often employed hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian security personnel and mounted acts of terror against civilians in the districts of Intan Jaya, Nduga, Puncak, and Maybrat to incite fear among the people.
The targets of such acts of terror have included construction workers, motorcycle taxi (ojek) drivers, teachers, students, street food vendors, and also civilian aircraft.
In one high-profile case, New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens was taken hostage by the Egianus Kogoya-led armed group after landing his Susi Air plane in Papua’s Nduga district on February 7, 2023. He was held captive for over a year before being released in September 2024.
Related news: Papuan rebels killed civilians, not TNI personnel: ministry
Related news: Armed Papuan insurgent shot in thigh in Central Papua: Police
Related news: Soldier survives Papuan insurgent attack in Dekai: Police
Translator: Walda Marison, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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