2) Human Rights Body Probes Reported Killing of 12 Civilians in Papua Operation
3) Indonesia to Renovate 21,000 Uninhabitable Homes in Papua
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1) Nine Puncak residents reportedly shot dead during military operations, including a toddler
April 18, 2026 in Meepago Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Author: Larius Kogoya - Editor: Arjuna Pademme
Jayapura, Jubi – Nine civilians, including a child under five, were reportedly shot dead in Puncak Regency, Central Papua, and dozens more were injured.
Yumbunik Murib, a Jubi source in Puncak Regency, said the victims were shot dead during an attack by Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel in Tenoti and Kumikomo Villages, Kembru District, on Tuesday (April 14, 2026).
"The victims died from gunfire during the indiscriminate attack by security forces in several villages in Kembru District. Nine people have been identified, evacuated, and buried according to traditional customs," Yumbunik Murib told Jubi in a phone call from Puncak on Friday (April 17, 2026).
According to Yumbunik Murib, the nine victims who died were Wundilina Kogoya (36 years old), Kikungge Walia (55 years old), Pelen Kogoya (65 years old), Tigiagan Walia (76 years old), Ekimira Kogoya (47 years old), Daremet Telenggen (55 years old), Inikiwewo Walia (52 years old), Amer Walia (77 years old), and a toddler named Para Walia (5 years old).
"The bodies [of the victims] were burned according to the Lani Papuan tradition. [In addition to the dead], dozens of people, from children to adults, were injured. We took those injured to the hospital. They were treated [at the hospital], but some were treated at home," he said.
He said the injured victims were Onde Walia (5 years old), Aliko Walia (5 years old), Nokia Kogoya (21 years old), Anite Telenggen (19 years old), and Daniton Tabuni. Anite Telenggen and Onde Walia have been referred to Jayapura and Nabire, while the other injured victims are being treated at Mulia Hospital. These injured victims do not include those being treated at home.
He said the dead and injured victims do not include those in Kembru Village, Makuma Village, and Nilome Village, Kembru District. The number of victims in these three villages has not yet been confirmed and evacuated, as the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) is still present there.
Therefore, the community is asking the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in Puncak Regency to allow them to evacuate victims in the three villages.
"[The evacuation process for victims in the three villages] may [be carried out] today or tomorrow. The victims in the three villages have not been evacuated since the incident. We don't yet know how many victims there are, nor how many injured," he said.
Murib explained that the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), along with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), had actually agreed to designate the war zone between the two sides, namely in Pogoma District, next to the Sinak River, which is very far from Kembru District.
He said that Kembru District is a refugee camp for people from several other districts, including residents of Pogoma District.
"So, until now, the refugees have been carrying out their activities as usual in villages within Kembru District. But suddenly, the TNI attacked. They killed people inhumanely, and the TNI entered and attacked the refugee camps," Murib said.
According to Yumbunik Murib, Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) soldiers conducted a military operation using three helicopters and dropped explosives, suspected to be grenades, into Guamo Village, Pogoma District, from early Monday morning (April 13, 2026).
Murib continued, saying that the TNI soldiers then conducted a military operation, including air and ground attacks, in several villages in Kembru District in the early hours of Tuesday morning (April 14, 2026).
He added that the district government has not yet visited the area to assess the situation or distribute aid.
"Some [residents in Puncak Regency] were shot dead, and some fled to the forest," said Yumbunik Murib.
Meanwhile, Colonel Inf Tri Purwanto, Head of Information for the XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Command (Kapendam), stated that the Free Papa Organization (OPM) carried out the attack in Puncak Regency.
He said the group attacked three civilians in Sinak District, Puncak Regency, a woman and two children, with gunshot wounds.
He said that based on the report and public requests, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Task Force and the 1714/Puncak Jaya Military District Command (Kodim), along with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) of Puncak Jaya Regency, evacuated the three victims to Mulia Hospital in Puncak Jaya Regency for further treatment.
"We deeply regret and condemn the violence against residents allegedly perpetrated by the OPM group. Civilians should be protected, not targeted by violence," said Lieutenant Colonel Tri Purwanto in a written press release received by Jubi on Thursday evening (April 16, 2026).
Jubi also attempted to confirm information about the deaths of several civilians in Puncak Regency, allegedly due to gunfire, with Lieutenant Colonel Wirya Arthadiguna, Head of Information for the TNI Habema Operations Command, but as of this writing, there had been no response from him. (*)
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2) Human Rights Body Probes Reported Killing of 12 Civilians in Papua Operation
Rabin Yarangga April 18, 2026 | 3:32 pm
akarta. The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) said it is investigating reports that at least 12 civilians were killed during a military operation targeting separatist fighters in Papua, raising concerns over the protection of non-combatants in a long-running conflict.
The incident allegedly took place on April 14 in Kembru village, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, during an operation by the Indonesian Military (TNI) against the armed group known as TPNPB-OPM. The casualties reportedly included women and children, with several others sustaining serious injuries.
According to information compiled by the commission, the violence followed a series of military actions a day earlier in Guamo village, Pogoma district, where helicopters were said to have dropped explosive munitions on an area suspected of being a rebel base. The strikes triggered a wave of displacement, with civilians fleeing to Kembru, which had been regarded locally as a safe refuge.
However, reports indicate that military operations continued in Kembru on April 14, involving both air and ground forces. The exact number of casualties across several villages, including Kembru, Makuma, and Nilome, remains unverified, as evacuation efforts have been hampered by ongoing security operations.
Komnas HAM Chair Anis Hidayah said the agency is coordinating with multiple parties to verify the situation on the ground and ensure accountability.
“Operations, whether classified as military or non-war operations, that result in civilian casualties cannot be justified under any circumstances,” Anis said in a statement issued Saturday.
The commission condemned the reported deaths and called on the TNI commander to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the operation carried out by the Habema Task Force. It also urged authorities to ensure that any legal process is conducted professionally, transparently, and thoroughly.
Komnas HAM stressed that the state has an obligation to provide maximum protection to civilians, particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children. It also called on both the military and TPNPB-OPM fighters to exercise restraint and avoid targeting civilians or fueling stigmatization during the conflict.
The commission further urged central and regional governments to take immediate steps to address the humanitarian situation, including providing medical and psychological assistance to victims and ensuring security conditions that would allow displaced residents to return home safely.
“Attacks on civilians, whether carried out by state or non-state actors, constitute serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law,” Anis said. “The right to life and the right to security are non-derogable and must be upheld at all times.”
Komnas HAM said it is preparing further monitoring measures in line with its institutional mandate to investigate the incident.
The TNI had not immediately issued a public response to the allegations at the time of publication. Independent verification of the claims remains difficult due to restricted access to the affected areas.
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3) Indonesia to Renovate 21,000 Uninhabitable Homes in Papua
Reporter Anastasya Lavenia Yudi
April 18, 2026 | 04:10 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Housing and Urban Area Development, Maruarar Sirait, stated that 21,000 uninhabitable houses in Papua will undergo renovation. The house renovation program is set to commence on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
"In line with President Prabowo Subianto's directive, uninhabitable houses must be promptly renovated on a massive scale," Maruarar said at Wisma Danantara in Jakarta on Friday, April 17, 2026. He stated that the program has also been reported to Hashim Djojohadikusumo, the Chair of the Housing Task Force.
The minister mentioned that this house renovation program will be carried out in six provinces covering 42 regencies/cities, with a minimum of 500 houses to be renovated in each regency/city.
In addition to house renovation, Maruarar added that the people's business credit program (KUR) for housing will also reach Papua. There are also housing financing programs in collaboration with PT Sarana Multigriya Finansial and PT Permodalan Nasional Madani.
In addition to renovating houses, the government will refurbish slum areas. "So, our program is quite extensive, not only to construct and renovate houses, but also to make the areas non-slum. Then the people will be economically empowered," the minister said.
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