Between 13 and 14 April 2026, Indonesian security forces allegedly carried out ground and aerial military operations in Guamo Village, Pogoma District, and in IDP sites and multiple villages across Kembru District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua Province, resulting in the deaths of at least eleven indigenous civilians including two pregnant women, and injuries to at least eleven others (see tables below, source: YKKMP). Reported victims include children, women and elderly persons. Available information indicates that the operations affected areas that had reportedly been designated as settlement sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) by agreement between local communities, churches, government representatives, Indonesian security forces and TPNPB forces.
On 7 October 2025, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) declared the Pogoma District in Puncak Regency as war area. Following this announcement, residents of Pogoma began fleeing almost immediately, scattering toward Kemburu, Bina, West Sinak and Sinak, with most eventually reaching the Mulia area of Puncak Jaya Regency. According to local informants, the Kemburu area began to be monitored by drones from roughly 1 December 2025.
On 9 April 2026, an anonymous eyewitness reported seeing large overland movements of TNI (Indonesian military) troops travelling from Sinak toward Kemburu, moving day and night and fully equipped. Ground and air operations followed on 13 April in Ngguamu Village (Pogoma District) and in the Aguid, Molu and Mbelaba villages of Kemburu District. Around 3:00 pm (Esat Indonesia Time (EIT), a mortar attack, which witnesses believed had been launched from a drone, struck the Aguid Village. Nobody was injured during the attack, but In the evening, more than 100 residents fled from Aguid to Kemburu Village in search of shelter.
The main attack occurred in the early hours of 14 April 2026, at roughly 05:00 am, while most residents were still asleep. Witnesses described an aerial explosion followed by sustained gunfire that struck residential areas in Tenoti, Makuma and Kemburu villages. The gunfire reprotedly continued until approximately 10:00 am EIT.
The casualties reported across the three villages were predominantly women, children and the elderly. Witnesses consistently maintained that no TPNPB combatants were present at these locations. According to witnesses, no return fire from the TPNPB was perceived. The residents had reportedly gathered holding the Indonesian flag to signal that they were civilians. Rev. Etinus Waliya was reportedly shot in the arm while carrying the flag and a Bible. An elderly man named Amer Walia, was unable to flee and reportedly remained beneath the flagpole during the operation. He was later found dead with lethal bullet injuries.
By around midday on 14 April, the dead were being cremated and buried at the Jugunggwi Village Office and in Tenoti Village from about noon, while Para Murib was buried in the grounds of the Jugunggwi Village Office. One of the injured victims named Aliko Walia, 8, reportedly succumbed to his injury in the Public Regional Hospital (RSUD) in Mulia on 19 May 2025.
Internal displacement following the attack
Following data collected during the field investigation to Puncak, the joint humanitarian teams estimated that the military operations resulted in 14,003 new IDPs. The Investigation Team’s conducted village-by-village counts in the three affected districts. For Kembru District the team recorded 7,074 IDPs — Tenoti (866), Makuma (716), Kemburu village (1,465), Nilime (880), Aguis (992), Belaba (1,026) and Molu (1,129). This figure is identical to the Central Papua MRP special team’s count and to Kembru’s entire population. From Magebume District the team recorded a further 5,383 IDPs: Gelegi (700), Kumigomo (943), Jigunggi (1,290), Amulume (1,700) and Urumagi (750). These two districts sum to 12,457. A separate 1,546 are recorded from the Pogoma and Sinak Barat areas, an accumulation from the earlier conflict whose people have not returned.
Many displaced families reportedly live in overcrowded conditions with relatives, with five to six families sharing a single house. Investigators documented severe shortages of food and clean water, particularly in Sinak District, where displaced communities reportedly lack access to gardens or agricultural land and depend almost entirely on external assistance. The displacement has also disrupted access to education, with many displaced children reportedly unable to attend school from early childhood level through senior secondary education.
In the days that followed, surviving residents of Kemburu dispersed again as displaced persons — most reaching Mulia and Yambi in Puncak Jaya Regency, and others scattering further to Ilaga, Timika, Jayapura and Nabire.
Humanitarian responses and government reaction
The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) confirmed ongoing efforts to access affected villages and evacuate victims, highlighting severe logistical challenges and delayed medical response times due to infrastructure limitations and insecurity. According to information received, a PMI team arrived in the Sinak District, Puncak Regency, on 17 April 2026, and reportedly handled some of the bodies.
On 18 April 2026, the National Human Rights Commission of the Republic of Indonesia (Komnas HAM) publicly stated that the operation in Kemburu District had caused 12 civilian deaths, including children and women, and had left many others seriously injured. The Governor of Central Papua Province also referred publicly to emerging information indicating about 12 deaths, whilst acknowledging that data collection was incomplete because some affected villages remained inaccessible while residents had fled into the forest.
As of the time of reporting, no state investigation into the incident has taken place since the attack occurred.
Churches and health facilities left abandoned or occupied
The investigation further documented the abandonment of numerous churches and health facilities across conflict-affected districts. Dozens of churches affiliated with the GKII denomination were reportedly left empty due to the displacement of local communities. Investigators also reported that several community health centres (Puskesmas) were no longer operational.
The Yugumoak health centre was reportedly being used by non-organic Indonesian military personnel as a military post, whilst health centres in Mageabume, Oneri, Kembru and Pogoma Districts were reportedly no longer functioning. The reported military use of civilian facilities raises additional concerns regarding the protection of civilian infrastructure under international humanitarian law.
Human rights analysis
From an international human rights and humanitarian law perspective, the alleged conduct by security forces raises serious concerns. If substantiated, the reported attacks may constitute violations of the principles of distinction and proportionality under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which strictly prohibit attacks directed against civilians or civilian objects. The presence of children and a pregnant woman among the victims underscores potential breaches of special protections afforded to vulnerable groups, including under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The alleged targeting or endangerment of internally displaced persons (IDPs) further suggests violations of protections against attacks on humanitarian zones and civilian shelters. The allegations highlight the urgent need for independent, impartial, and forensic investigations, including ballistic analysis and witness testimony.
Even if military personnel believed that opposing fighters were present in or near the area, they remained bound by the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution under international humanitarian law. The reported use of explosive weapons, grenades and aerial fire in and around villages and IDP settlements raises a strong presumption of indiscriminate or disproportionate force, particularly given the number of child, female and elderly victims.
The alleged killing of civilians, including children, women, a pregnant girl and elderly persons, implicates the right to life under Article 6(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which requires the state not only to refrain from arbitrary deprivation of life but also to prevent, investigate, punish and remedy potentially unlawful killings. The reported use of grenades, aerial fire and live ammunition in civilian settlements and displacement sites further raises concerns under Article 7 ICCPR and the Convention against Torture (CAT), Articles 2 and 16, ias the infliction of severe physical and mental suffering on civilians may amount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
The operational context, characterised by limited access to healthcare, delayed evacuation and the reliance on traditional shelters as emergency care sites, exacerbates the severity of harm and may amount to failures in fulfilling the obligation to ensure medical care for the wounded and sick. Allegations that military personnel performed medical functions also raise concerns under Indonesian Law No. 36/2014 on Health.
Victims of security force violence in Puncak Regency between 13 and 16 April 2026
Indonesian Red Cross Team arriving in Sinak District, Puncak Regency, on 17 April 2026
Internally displaced persons following military operations in Puncak, 13-16 April’26
Civilians killed during security operation in Puncak Regency between 13–16 April 2026
| No. | Name | Age | Sex | Location of incident | Reported status |
| 1 | Undilina Tabuni | 40 | Female | Tenoti Village, Kemburu District | Killed whilst nine months pregnant |
| 2 | Kikunggwe Murib | 60 | Female | Tenoti Village, Kemburu District | Shot dead in Tenoti Village |
| 3 | Pelen Kogoya | 65 | Female | Tenoti Village, Kemburu District | Shot dead in Tenoti Village |
| 4 | Tigiagan Murib | 76 | Male | Makuma Village, Kemburu District | Shot dead in Makuma Village |
| 5 | Ketimira Gire | 35 | Female | Makuma Village, Kemburu District | Shot dead in Makuma Village whilst seven months pregnant |
| 6 | Darmet Telenggen | 55 | Male | Makuma Village, Kemburu District | Shot dead in Makuma Village |
| 7 | Inikiwewo Walia | 52 | Male | Tenoti Village, Kemburu District | Died from gunshot wound penetrating chest and spine |
| 8 | Amer Walia | 77 | Male | Makuma Village, Kemburu District | Shot dead in Makuma Village |
| 9 | Para Murib | 3 | Male child | Makuma Village, Kemburu District | Shot and later died in Jigunggwi Village |
| 11 | Ikari Murib | 55 | Male | Makuma Village, Kemburu District | Shot dead in Makuma Village |
| 13 | Desera (Aliko) Walia | 8 years | Female child | Tenoti Village, Kemburu District | Gunshot wound to the left side of the chest; treated in Mulia Hospital; victim died on 19 May 2026 in the RSUD Mulia hospital |
Civilians injured with gunshot wounds during security operation in Puncak Regency between 13–16 April 2026
| No. | Name | Age | Sex | Location of incident | Current condition |
| 1 | Anite Walia | 30 years | Female | Makuma Village, Kemburu District | victim is in 8th month of pregnancy, she sustained gunshot and blast injuries to neck/lower jaw, right shoulder and right finger; referred from Mulia Hospital to Dian Harapan Hospital, Jayapura; reported to be pregnant |
| 2 | Nokia Murib | 21 years | Male | Kemburu District | Shrapnel injury to right calf; treated in Mulia Hospital |
| 3 | Nebagawi Tabuni | 39 years | Male | Yimuk Village | Shrapnel wound to the left thigh; treated in Mulia Hospital |
| 4 | Delton Walia | 4 years | Male | Tenoti | Shrapnel wound to the leg and eye |
| 5 | Rev Etinus Walia | 47 years | Male | N/A | Sustained a gunshot wound to the left armpit as he was leading a group of civilians out of Nilome Village |
| 6 | Yandina Kogoya | 42 years | Female | N/A | Gunshot wound to the left calf |
| 7 | Tahanan Tabuni | 20 years | Male | N/A | Gunshot wound to the left calf |
| 8 | Pipanggen Murib | 54 years | Male | Tenoti Village | shrapnel wound on the back and and left leg |
| 9 | Mbabungga Murib | 32 years | Male | Yumuk Village | shrapnel wound on the right hand |
| 10 | Kondisera Walia | 9 years | Female child | N/A | shrapnel wound on the right hand |
| 11 | Once Murib | 12 years | Female child | N/A | Bullet wound on the right arm |
Detailed Case Data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-056-2026
Region: Indonesia > Central Papua > Puncak > Kembru
Total number of victims: 22
#
Number of Victims
Name, Details
Gender
Age
Group Affiliation
Violations
1.
1
Anite Walia
female
30
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
ill-treatment
2.
1
Nokia Murib
male
21
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
ill-treatment
3.
1
Once Murib
female
12
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
ill-treatment
4.
1
Ikari Murib
male
55
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
right to life, unlawful killing
5.
1
Desera Aliko Walia
female
39
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
right to life, unlawful killing
6.
1
Nebegawi Tabuni
male
40
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
ill-treatment
7.
1
Undilina Tabuni
female
60
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
right to life, unlawful killing
8.
1
Kikunggwe Murib
female
65
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
right to life, unlawful killing
9.
1
Pelen Kogoya
female
76
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
right to life, unlawful killing
10.
1
Tigiagan Murib
male
35
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
right to life, unlawful killing
11.
1
Ketimira Gire
female
55
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
right to life, unlawful killing
12.
1
DarmatTelenggen
male
52
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
right to life, unlawful killing
13.
1
Inikiwewo Walia
male
77
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
right to life, unlawful killing
14.
1
Amer Walia
male
3
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
right to life, unlawful killing
15.
1
Para Murib
male
42
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
right to life, unlawful killing
16.
1
Yandina Kogoya
female
4
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
criminalisation, ill-treatment
17.
1
Delton Walia
male
47
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
ill-treatment
18.
1
Etinus Walia
diverse
20
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
ill-treatment
19.
1
Tahanan Tabuni
male
54
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
ill-treatment
20.
1
Pipanggen Murib
male
32
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
ill-treatment
21.
1
Mbabungga Murib
male
9
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
ill-treatment
22.
1
Kondisera Walia
female
12
Indigenous Peoples, Internally Displaced Person (IDP)
ill-treatment
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence, women and children
Related Cases:
Allegations of extrajudicial execution and post-mortem mutilation during security raid in Omukia District, Puncak Regency
Army members shoot dead three indigenous Papuans in Puncak Jaya – Military claims victims were rebels
At least three indigenous Papuans killed and one wounded during military operations in Puncak Regency
Indonesian security forces alleged of killing indigenous Papuan woman and injuring eight villagers with bullets in Puncak Regency
Military members alleged of executing indigenous Papuan in Ilu District, Puncak Jaya
Military members alleged of torturing and arbitrarily detaining Papuan men in Keangga, Puncak Regency