On 13 and 14 May 2025, a large-scale military (TNI) operation in the Sugapa and Hitadipa districts of Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah province, resulted in the deaths and injuries of civilians. The operation, ostensibly aimed at pushing back the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM), targeted multiple villages, including Ndugusiga, Bambu Kuning, Sugapa Lama, Titigi, Jaindapa, Soangama, and Zanamba. Among the confirmed casualties are five civilians, including a local village leader and an elderly woman with disabilities. One woman was hastily buried in a shallow grave in an attempt to obfuscate the atrocities. The search for victims continues as seven villagers remain missing (see table below, source: WPCC).
Residents, and church workers reported indiscriminate shootings in civilian settlements, raising serious concerns of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearance, and forced displacement. Following the operation, military representatives claimed that 18 TPNPB fighters were killed during the operation. According to the TPNPB, the number of casualties on their side was four, giving rise to the possibility that the number of civilian casualties will still rise. An evacuation team is searching for the bodies of villagers who have been reported missing since 14 May.
At least three civilians suffered gunshot wounds and were evacuated to Mimika for emergency medical treatment. Approximately 900 people fled to the forest amid the gunfire. Meanwhile, the survivors have been found in states of extreme psychological distress, showing signs of shock and trauma. The armed clash erupted in the early morning hours, with security forces reportedly searching civilian homes. The residents fled their houses in fear of reprisals. Following the operation, the military locked down the area for over a week.
A local evacuation team was allowed to search for bodies only after lengthy negotiations between the local government and the military. On 23 May 2025, the team uncovered the decomposing bodies of Mrs Hetina Mirip and Mrs Tapamina Tapani. Both were reportedly executed and the bodies hastily buried without a coffin. According to information received, the Mrs Hetina Mirip’s body was reportedly surrounded by mines intended to harm those seeking to recover her remains. This mirrors similar allegations previously levelled against the military, including using landmines and occupying civilian homes and churches.
The operation has intensified long-standing fears about the militarisation of West Papua in the context of resource exploitation, particularly the Wabu Block gold concession in Intan Jaya. Civil society organisations have consistently warned that the presence of security forces in and around potential mining sites indicates a strategic use of violence for economic benefits. Observers have urged the Indonesian government to refrain from its security-based approach and adopt dialogue and reconciliation strategies to address the underlying grievances in the region.
The Papuan Coalition for Law Enforcement and Human Rights and the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) have called for an independent investigation into the events of May 2025. Their demands include accountability for violations of Common Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, under Law No. 59 of 1958, and an immediate halt to military activities near civilian areas. The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has been urged to act swiftly and transparently to investigate allegations of serious human rights abuses.
Table: Civilian victims of the security operation in Intan Jaya on 13 and 15 May 2025
| No | Name | Age | Injured/killed, place, date | Additional information |
| 1 | Mr Ruben Wandagau | 34 years | Killed in Bambu Kuning Village, Hitadipa District, on 14 May’25 | Village Head of Hitadipa; cremated on site |
| 2 | Mrs Tapamina Tapani | 56 years | Killed in Bambu Kuning Village, Hitadipa District, on 14 May’25 | Shot by TNI, buried without coffin; an explosive trap was found near the grave |
| 3 | Mr Elisa Wandagau | 67 years | Killed in Sugapalama Village, Sugapa District, on 14 May’25 | Death confirmed by PGI |
| 4 | Mrs. Hetina Murib | 22 years | disappeared in Ndugusiga Village, Sugapa District on 15 May’25. | Body was discovered after the raid on 23 May’25 |
| 5 | Mrs Jubelina Kogoya | 25 years | killed in Bambu Kuning Village, Hitadipa District, on 14 May’25 | N/A |
| 6 | Minus Jegeseni | 7 years | Injured in Sugapalama Village, Sugapa District, on 13 May’25 | Bullet fragment wound on the left ear |
| 7 | Mrs Yulince Zanambani | 25 years | Injured in Sugapalama Village, Sugapa District, on 13 May’25 | Sustained gunshot wound to right arm |
| 8 | Mr Openi Wandagau | 23 years | Injured in Sugapalama Village, Sugapa District, on 13 May’25 | Gunshot wound to upper left arm |
| 7 villagers reportedly missing | Unknown | Missing | Presumed displaced or forcefully disappeared |
Note: Verification of status and identity of some victims is ongoing.
An evacuation team excavates the body of Mrs Hetina Murib on 23 May 2025
Victims injured by bullets during the security raid in Hitadipa and Sugapa on 13 May 2025
Victim of extrajudicial execution, Mrs Tapamina
Villagers evacuate the body of village leader, Mr Ruben Wandagau
Cremation of Hitadipa Village leader, Mr Ruben Wandagau
Detailed Case Data
Location: 726J+5QG, Bilogai, Sugapa, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua 98768, Indonesia (-3.7395623, 137.0319626) Villages Ndugusiga, Bambu Kuning, Sugapa Lama, Titigi, Jaindapa, Soangama, and Zanamba
Region: Indonesia, Central Papua, Intan Jaya, Sugapa
Total number of victims: 15
#
Number of Victims
Name, Details
Gender
Age
Group Affiliation
Violations
1.
1
Hetina Murib
female
56
Indigenous Peoples
disappearance, execution
2.
1
Tapamina Tapani
female
0
Indigenous Peoples
execution
3.
1
Elisa Wandagau
male
0
Indigenous Peoples
execution
4.
1
Ruben Wandagau
male
0
Indigenous Peoples
execution
5.
1
Jubelina Kogoya
female
0
Indigenous Peoples
execution
6.
1
Minus Jegeseni
male
0
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
7.
1
Yulince Janambani
female
0
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
8.
1
Openi Wandagau
male
0
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment
9.
7
unknown
mixed
unknown
Indigenous Peoples
disappearance
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia, Indonesian Military (TNI)
Perpetrator details: Natinal Military (TNI), Rajawali II Taskforce
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence, women and children