Indonesian security forces reportedly raided the village of Pamebut, Yugumuak District, in the early morning of 3 March 2023. According to information received, joint police and military members indiscriminately opened fire at villagers, leaving eight persons injured with bullets. An indigenous woman named Mrs, Tarina Murib was reportedly hit by a bullet during the raid and died on the spot. Villagers claim they found her body beheaded shortly after the raid. One security force member was reportedly killed during a subsequent firefight with West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) members.
According to information received, security force members already circled Pamebut Village on the evening of 2 March 2023. They indiscriminately opened fire at villagers leaving their huts in the early morning of 3 March 2023 to go to the loo. Eight villagers sustained bullet injuries during the attack, among them at least two minors (see photos below). During the raid, security force members reportedly burnt several residential houses to the ground.
The spokesperson of the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command, Colonel Herman Taryaman, denied that his men were involved in the killing and mutilation of a civilian in the Yugumuak District. Taryaman claimed that the TPNPB had opened fire at the villagers. He added that one Satgas Yonif Raider 303/SSM military unit member was killed during the firefight with TPNPB combatants in Yugumuak during the operation.
Following the incident, hundreds of indigenous Papuans from the districts Yugumuak and Magebume fled to the Sinak Village (see photo below), and the town of Mulia, Puncak, Jaya Regency, because they were afraid of becoming victims of violence during armed clashes or security raids. Observers called upon local authorities to provide internally displaced persons (IDPs) with food and shelter. A video supplied by human rights defenders shows a group of IDPs in the town of Sinak. An IDP is holding a speech in which he calls upon the local and central government to address the humanitarian crisis in Puncak and other highland regencies (see video below).
Table of victims during security force raid in Pamebut Village, Puncak Regency, on 3 March 2023
| No | Name | Age | Additional information |
| 1 | Mrs Tarina Murib | 35 years | Was shot dead, the head was reportedly dismembered from the body |
| 2 | Mr Gwinus Murib | 36 years | Sustained bullet wound on the right shoulder |
| 3 | Mr Rondinus Murib | 17 years | Junior high school student, sustained a bullet wound on the right shoulder |
| 4 | Mrs Nerce Telenggen | 34 years | Sustained bullet wounds on the stomach and the right hand, the projectile remained inside the body |
| 5 | Rasna Kogoya | 13 years | Sustained bullet wound on the right leg |
| 6 | Yalingga Murib | 18 years | Sustained bullet wound on the right thigh |
| 7 | Juan Amelson Murib | 2 years | Sustained bullet wound on the right hand |
| 8 | Mrs Dayusina Alom | 27 years | Sustained bullet wound in the thigh |
| 9 | Rosita Murib | 8 years | Sustained bullet wound on the finger |
Victims injured during security force raid in Pamebut Village, Puncak Regency, on 3 March 2023
IDPs from the districts Yugumuak and Magebume seeking shelter in Sinak Village
Detailed Case Data
Location: Pamebut
Region: Indonesia, Papua Province, Puncak, Yugumuak
Region: Indonesia, Central Papua, Puncak, Yugumuak
Total number of victims: 9
#
Number of Victims
Name, Details
Gender
Age
Group Affiliation
Violations
1.
1
Tarina Murib
female
35
Indigenous Peoples
execution
2.
1
Gwinus Murib
male
36
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
3.
1
Rondinus Murib
male
17
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
4.
1
Nerce Telenggen
female
34
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
5.
1
Rasna Kogoya
male
13
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
6.
1
Yalingga Murib
male
18
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
7.
1
Juan Amelson Murib
male
2
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
8.
1
Dayusina Alom
female
27
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
9.
1
Rosita Murib
female
8
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
Perpetrator: Other Security Forces
Perpetrator details: unknown
Issues: security force violence, indigenous peoples, women and children