Between mid-May and late July 2026, a large-scale Indonesian military operation in the Intan Jaya Regency of Central Papua resulted in five civilian deaths, four injuries, and the mass displacement of over two thousand residents. According to local human rights defenders and documentation from the Papua Office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), the operation involved ground forces, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across the Agisiga, Sugapa, and Hitadipa districts.
Timeline of Violence in Intan Jaya
The escalation began on 17 May 2026, when an explosive device dropped from a drone struck near St Paul’s Catholic Church in Mbamogo Village. Four people were injured, including Mr. Luter Nabelau, who later died from his wounds. As military operations intensified in June following the reported return of TPNPB commander Aibon Kogoya, further drone strikes were reported in the Agisiga and Hitadipa districts.
By late June, the situation deteriorated rapidly. On 29 June, two Papuan civilians, 18-year-old Daud Hagisimijau and 16-year-old Kiko Hagisimijau, were reportedly shot by security forces while working on the construction of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Titigi Village. That same day, Rev. Elianus Agimbau of the Indonesian Tabernacle Church (GKII) was fatally shot while fleeing violence near Mbamogo. A separate incident on 29 June involved the detention of 19-year-old Okto Tigau by the Rajawali Task Force; his body was found on 1 July near a military post with signs of mutilation and multiple gunshot wounds.
Humanitarian Impact and Displacement
The military’s establishment of new positions within civilian areas forced more than two thousand residents to flee their homes for the surrounding forests and Sugapa town. According to reports, security forces burned approximately a dozen residential houses and a GKII Church. Metadata from video footage of these fires confirms the destruction occurred on 27 June 2026.
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The humanitarian crisis was compounded on 2 July when Mrs. Merkiana Duwitau, who was pregnant, was killed during an exchange of fire in Sugapa. Local authorities and church leaders reported significant difficulties in accessing affected communities to provide aid or evacuate the wounded due to the ongoing hostilities.
Potential Next Steps and Investigations
The Papua Office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has urged the Indonesian government to conduct prompt, independent, and transparent investigations into all reported killings and allegations of abuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the military operation in Intan Jaya?
The operation was reportedly launched to pursue local units of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), specifically intensifying after the reported return of TPNPB commander Aibon Kogoya to the region.
Are there allegations of specific violations by security forces?
Yes. Human rights defenders have documented allegations of arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killings, torture, and the destruction of civilian property, including the burning of homes and religious buildings.
What is the legal status of the conflict?
The conflict is classified as a non-international armed conflict, meaning all parties are bound by international legal obligations to distinguish between civilians and those participating in hostilities and to minimize incidental harm to non-combatants.
What steps should the international community take to ensure the protection of civilians in conflict-affected regions like Intan Jaya?
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