Papuaaround.com – An armed confrontation erupted in Maybrat, Southwest Papua, after the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) claimed to have killed two Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) soldiers during a recent operation.
According to a statement from TPNPB-OPM’s National Command Headquarters, the attack was carried out by troops from Kodap IV Sorong Raya, led by Deputy Operations Commander Manuel Aimau. The operation reportedly began at 6:00 a.m. local time, targeting a joint Indonesian military force of approximately 510 personnel. Human rights official Fritz Ramandey, Chairman of Papua’s National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM Papua), was also reportedly among those involved in the search for former Teluk Bintuni Police Criminal Investigation Chief, Inspector Tomi Samuel Marbun.
In an official statement released on Monday, April 28, 2025, TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom said, “This morning’s attack against Indonesian government forces resulted in two TNI soldiers being killed and several others wounded. A separate incident at the Rawara River banks also caused injuries to additional military personnel.”
Following the attack, TPNPB-OPM alleged that the Indonesian military responded by deploying two heavily armed helicopters and combat drones. These assets reportedly conducted airstrikes targeting the TPNPB-OPM’s positions in the conflict zone.
Sambom detailed the situation, stating, “Gunfire exchanges between TPNPB troops from Kodap IV Sorong Raya and Indonesian military forces continued in two separate locations. The Indonesian military launched air assaults using two military helicopters equipped with machine guns.”
Tensions further escalated when TPNPB-OPM accused Komnas HAM Papua Chairman Fritz Ramandey of siding with the Indonesian military. The group warned that Ramandey would be considered an enemy if he remained in the conflict area.
In addition, the TPNPB-OPM urged all civilians involved in military operations to leave the region immediately. The group emphasized that search-and-rescue operations, particularly in conflict zones, should be handled by civilian agencies such as the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) rather than military forces or human rights institutions.
TPNPB-OPM also reiterated that nine regions in Papua have been designated as war zones. These areas include Yahukimo, Pegunungan Bintang, Nduga, Puncak Jaya, Intan Jaya, Maybrat, Dogiyai, Paniai, and Deiyai. Previously, Sebby Sambom had called on the Indonesian government to evacuate civilians from these locations to avoid further casualties.
Tempo attempted to verify the claims made by TPNPB-OPM. However, as of the publication of this article, the Indonesian Armed Forces Headquarters had not issued an official response regarding the reported deaths of the two soldiers or the alleged use of machine-gun-equipped helicopters during the operation.
The situation remains tense in Maybrat Papua, where ongoing conflict between separatist forces and Indonesian security personnel continues to disrupt efforts for peace and stability in the region.
