# Military operation in Puncak Jaya leaves 13-year-old girl wounded and village in ruins

**Publisher:** [Human Rights Monitor](https://humanrightsmonitor.org)
**Document ID:** HRM-CAS-093-2025
**Document Type:** Case
**Document URL:** https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/military-operation-in-puncak-jaya-leaves-13-year-old-girl-wounded-and-village-in-ruins/
**Issues:** indigenous peoples | security force violence | women and children
**Publication Date:** August 14, 2025
**Last Updated:** February 12, 2026
**Tags:** Indonesia | West Papua

## Summary
In the early hours of 7 August 2025, Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) reportedly carried out an operation in Oholumu Village, Mewoluk District, Puncak Jaya Regency, resulting in the burning of civilian homes, the destruction of church facilities, and the shooting of a 13-year-old girl named Y. W.

## Detailed Case Narrative
In the early hours of 7 August 2025, Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) reportedly raided the Oholumu Village, [Mewoluk District](https://mapcarta.com/de/37147878), Puncak Jaya Regency, resulting in the burning of civilian homes, the destruction of church facilities, and the shooting of a 13-year-old girl named Y. W. The operation included aerial attacks by two helicopters at around 3:00 am, followed by arson and destruction of buildings, including the church facilities belonging to the Gereja Injili di Indonesia (GIDI). According to the information received Y.W, a gunshot wound to her right thigh (see photo above, source: independent HRD). The bullet remained lodged in her body due to a lack of timely medical intervention. She was only transferred from Mulia to Jayapura for treatment on 14 August 2025, eight days after the shooting. Residents of the village fled [following the attack, and many remain displaced](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/reports/idp-update-august25-humanitarian-crisis-amidst-ongoing-military-operations/). Two other villagers nemd Mr Yoniton Gire and Mr Mati Enumbi sustained bullet injuries. In contrast to Y.W., the bullet pierced the felsh, so the other victims were brought to forest shelters where the parents tried to treat the wounds with traditional medicine, isolated from any medical services. The status of the other two victims is yet to be verified.

According to the information received from local sources, TNI ground troops departed from Mulia towards [Mewoluk District](https://mapcarta.com/de/37147878), moving through the forest. By 3:00 am, they had surrounded Oholumu Village. Two military helicopters arrived simultaneously, firing upon the area before landing. Ground troops reportedly burned several houses and  a church building.  Y.W. left her home during the raid with a flashlight to relieve herself and was shot without warning by TNI personnel. She fell unconscious and remained unattended for hours. On 8 August 2025, villagers discovered her and transported her to Mulia for limited treatment. On 14 August 2025, she was referred to a hospital in Jayapura, where no surgical intervention has yet been performed due to financial constraints and the family’s lack of BPJS health insurance coverage.

### Human rights analysis
The incident raises serious concerns regarding violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, particularly the prohibition on attacks against civilians under [Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions](https://www.crimesofwar.org/a-z-guide/407/), and the [International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/law/iccpr/), to which Indonesia is a State party. The use of lethal force against a clearly non-combatant child, the destruction of civilian infrastructure including religious facilities, and the forced displacement of the local population may constitute grave breaches and potentially amount to war crimes under the [Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.](https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/2024-05/Rome-Statute-eng.pdf) The prolonged denial of timely, adequate medical treatment to a wounded minor also violates the right to health as guaranteed under Article 12 of the[ International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/law/icescr/).

### 13-year-old Y.W., receiving medical treatment in Jayapura
![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/victim_Puncak-Jaya_Mil-Op_Shooting-Case_Aug25_1_edit-982x1024.jpg)

![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/victim_Puncak-Jaya_Mil-Op_Shooting-Case_Aug25_3-768x1024.jpg)

![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/victim_Puncak-Jaya_Mil-Op_Shooting-Case_Aug25_2-768x1024.jpg)

## Incident Period & Location
- **Start Date:** August 7, 2025
- **End Date:** August 7, 2025
- **Period Type:** Single Day
- **Reference Date:** August 7, 2025 (used for chronological ordering)
- **Location:** Mewoluk, Puncak Jaya Regency, Papua, Indonesia - Oholumu Village, Mewoluk District, Puncak Jaya Regency
- **Geographic Coordinates (WGS84):** -3.6029783, 137.8822604
- **Google Maps:** https://maps.google.com/?q=-3.6029783,137.8822604
- **Administrative Regions:**
  - **Region 1:** Indonesia (Country) > Central Papua (Province) > Puncak Jaya (Regency) > Mewoluk (District)

## Victims
**Total number of victims:** 3

| Count | Name | Age | Gender | Groups | Violations |
|-------|------|-----|--------|--------|------------|
| 1 person | Y.W. | minor | female | Indigenous Peoples, Student | ill-treatment |
| 1 person | Yoniton Gire | adult | diverse | Indigenous Peoples | ill-treatment |
| 1 person | Mati Enumbi | adult | diverse | Indigenous Peoples | ill-treatment |

## Perpetrators
**Perpetrator Category Paths:**
- **Category 1:** Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI)

## Media Documentation
[Image: victim_Puncak Jaya_Mil Op_Shooting Case_Aug'25_2](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/victim_Puncak-Jaya_Mil-Op_Shooting-Case_Aug25_2.jpg)

[Image: victim_Puncak Jaya_Mil Op_Shooting Case_Aug'25_3](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/victim_Puncak-Jaya_Mil-Op_Shooting-Case_Aug25_3.jpg)

[Image: victim_Puncak Jaya_Mil Op_Shooting Case_Aug'25_1_edit](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/victim_Puncak-Jaya_Mil-Op_Shooting-Case_Aug25_1_edit.jpg)

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- [Military raid in Intan Jaya results in death of two indigenous civilians](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/military-raid-in-intan-jaya-results-in-death-of-three-indigenous-civilians/)
- [Military raid in Tangma District accompanied by arbitrary arrest, torture, and killing of one civilian](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/military-raid-in-tangma-district-accompanied-by-arbitrary-arrest-torture-and-killing-of-one-civilian/)