# Villager shot down during military operation in Yuguru Village, Nduga

**Publisher:** [Human Rights Monitor](https://humanrightsmonitor.org)
**Document ID:** HRM-CAS-081-2025
**Document Type:** Case
**Document URL:** https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/villager-shot-down-during-military-operation-in-yuguru-village-nduga/
**Issues:** indigenous peoples | security force violence
**Publication Date:** July 30, 2025
**Last Updated:** February 2, 2026
**Tags:** Indonesia | West Papua

## Summary
On 9 July 2024, Indonesian military personnel reportedly opened fire at indigenous Papuan, Mr Eran Gwijangge, in Yuguru Village, Mebarok District, Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province.

## Detailed Case Narrative
On 9 July 2025, Indonesian military personnel reportedly opened fire at indigenous Papuan, Mr Eran Gwijangge, in Yuguru Village, Mebarok District, Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province. The shooting occurred during an ongoing military operation in the area. Mr Gwijangge sustained a gunshot wound to the right foot, resulting in an open fracture of the ankle (see photo on top, source: independent: HRD). He was later transported by his relatives to Wamena Regional General Hospital for medical treatment.

[The Yuguru Village has been subjected to heightened military activity](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/allegations-on-torture-and-killing-of-indigenous-papuans-in-mebarok-district-hrds-call-for-immediate-independent-investigation/) in recent months due to past activities of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in the area. During the incident, no armed confrontation or resistance by the victim was reported. Eyewitnesses stated that Mr Eran Gwijangge was unarmed at the time he was shot.

### Human rights analysis
The incident raises serious concerns under international human rights law, particularly regarding the [right to life (Article 6 ICCPR)](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/law/iccpr/) and the prohibition of arbitrary use of force by state agents. The use of firearms by military personnel against unarmed civilians without an immediate threat to life or serious injury constitutes a violation of the principles of necessity and proportionality under the [UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials](https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/basic-principles-use-force-and-firearms-law-enforcement). Indonesian authorities should immediately conduct an independent, impartial, and transparent investigation under civilian oversight into the incident. The protections for non-combatants must be reinforced in line with Indonesia's international humanitarian law obligations.

### Mr Gwijangge shows his fractured ankle shortly after being shot by TNI members in Mebarok District, Nduga
![](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Victim_Yuguru-Shooting_July25_edit-1-1024x461.jpg)

## Incident Period & Location
- **Start Date:** July 9, 2025
- **End Date:** July 9, 2025
- **Period Type:** Single Day
- **Reference Date:** July 9, 2025 (used for chronological ordering)
- **Location:** - Yuguru Village (Exact location available at https://mapcarta.com/de/W506007682)
- **Administrative Regions:**
  - **Region 1:** Indonesia (Country) > Highland Papua (Province) > Nduga (Regency) > Mebarok (District) > Yuguru (Village)

## Victims
**Total number of victims:** 1

| Count | Name | Age | Gender | Groups | Violations |
|-------|------|-----|--------|--------|------------|
| 1 person | Eran Gwijangge | exact | male | Indigenous Peoples | ill-treatment |

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

## Media Documentation
[Image: Victim_Yuguru Shooting_July'25_edit](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Victim_Yuguru-Shooting_July25_edit.jpg)

[Image: Victim_Yuguru Shooting_July'25_edit](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Victim_Yuguru-Shooting_July25_edit-1.jpg)

## Related Cases
- [Allegations of torture and killing of indigenous Papuans in Mebarok District: HRDs call for immediate independent investigation](https://humanrightsmonitor.org/case/allegations-on-torture-and-killing-of-indigenous-papuans-in-mebarok-district-hrds-call-for-immediate-independent-investigation/)