Two Papuan women, Mrs Otovina Hogajau, and Mrs Aliana Pogau were seriously injured during an alleged Indonesian military drone strike in Danggoa Village, Agisiga District, Intan Jaya Regency, on 18 June 2026. According to multiple local sources, the women were returning from their gardens and washing sweet potatoes and vegetables in a nearby stream when an explosive device, reportedly dropped from an unmanned aerial vehicle, detonated close to them. Both victims sustained severe blast injuries and were evacuated by local residents to Sugapa District General Hospital (RSUD) for emergency treatment (see photo on top, source: independent HRD). The incident reportedly triggered the displacement of residents from Danggoa Village, many of whom fled into the surrounding forest in fear of further attacks.
According to reports received, Mrs Otovina Hogajau, and Mrs Aliana Pogau had spent the morning working in their gardens before returning home shortly after midday. Whilst washing their harvest in a nearby small river, witnesses reported hearing the sound of a drone overhead before an explosion occurred. Mrs Hogajau reportedly sustained a serious injury to her right thigh, whilst Mrs Pogau suffered severe injuries to the left side of her chest. Several reports also indicate that a third civilian sustained injuries, although this information could not be independently verified. Following the explosion, indigenous peoples living in Danggoa fled the area, fearing additional aerial attacks. Community members subsequently evacuated the injured women to Sugapa District General Hospital.
The incident prompted strong reactions from church leaders, local authorities and civil society organisations. The Regent of Intan Jaya Regency, Mr Aner Maisini, expressed concern over the incident, confirmed that the victims had been evacuated for medical treatment. He called for a transparent explanation and a comprehensive evaluation to prevent similar incidents from recurring. At the time of publication, neither the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) nor the Indonesian National Police (Polri) have publicly issued an official statement confirming or denying the allegations surrounding the reported drone strike.
Danggoa and neighbouring indigenous villages in the Agaisiga and Sugapa districts of Intan Jaya have become te target recurring military operations. Between 9 and 11 April 2023, Indonesian security forces conducted raids on four villages in the Intan Jaya Regency of West Papua, covering an area of 2.7 square kilometres. The raids destroyed at least 28 houses. Security forces reportedly killed four civilians and injured three others, including two minors. More than 3,000 indigenous Papuans were internally displaced as a result of these operations, facing dire living conditions without access to adequate food, healthcare, or education.
Human rights analysis
The reported drone attack raises serious concerns under international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The reported use of explosive weapons in the vicinity of civilian settlements and gardens may violate the right to life protected under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Indonesia is a State Party.
In situations of non-international armed conflict, all parties are bound by the customary international humanitarian law principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution, which require constant care to spare civilians and prohibit direct attacks against the civilian population. Even where military objectives are present, parties must take all feasible precautions to minimise incidental civilian harm. The available information indicates that the victims were engaged in ordinary civilian activities at the time of the explosion and there is currently no publicly available evidence suggesting that they were participating in armed hostilities.
Indonesian authorities should ensure a prompt, independent, effective and transparent investigation capable of establishing the facts, determining whether the attack complied with applicable international legal standards, and providing victims with access to justice, effective remedies and adequate reparation.
This screenshot was taken from a video that HRM received on 18 June 2026. The video was reportedly recorded at the site of the crime only shortly after the drone strike
One of the injured victims during admission to the Sugapa District General Hospital (RSUD), 18
Detailed Case Data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-078-2026
Region: Indonesia > Central Papua > Intan Jaya > Agisiga
Total number of victims: 2
#
Number of Victims
Name, Details
Gender
Age
Group Affiliation
Violations
1.
1
Aliana Pogau
female
approximate
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment, right to life
2.
1
Otovina Hogajau
female
approximate
Indigenous Peoples
ill-treatment, right to life
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI)
Issues: drones and clusterammunition, indigenous peoples, security force violence, women and children
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