Intan Jaya, Papua – West Papua National Liberation Army (WPNLA/TPNPB) Command Center has reported that during a firefight at the Titigi Post in Intan Jaya on Thursday (April 3, 2025), a civilian was shot and killed by the Indonesian military.
The report was released through a press statement published on Friday (April 4, 2025) by TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom, following information received from Enos Tipagau, Yosua Maiseni, and Gusby Waker, members of TPNPB Kodap VIII Intan Jaya. The statement indicated that TPNPB forces from Kodap VIII Intan Jaya launched an attack on the Indonesian military post in Titigi Village from midday until the afternoon.
During the firefight, a civilian named Okto Zanambani was reported to have been shot and killed by Indonesian military personnel in Zanamba Village. “After being shot, his body was found discarded in the forest in his village,” the statement read.
The report did not specify any casualties or injuries among the Indonesian National Army (TNI) or Indonesian Police (Polri) personnel. Meanwhile, all TPNPB forces were reported to be in safe condition.
The press release also mentioned that the Indonesian military had conducted airstrikes using drones, planes, and helicopters in six different locations in the Hitadipa and Sugapa districts. These aerial attacks caused explosions in the forests, gardens, and residential areas, which led to fires. “We urge protection for civilians and call on the international community to monitor the situation in Intan Jaya,” Sebby explained in the statement.
As of now, there has been no confirmation regarding the number of other civilian casualties or injuries following the firefight, nor from the airstrikes carried out by the TNI in Hitadipa and Sugapa districts.
The aerial strikes, involving drones, helicopters, and military planes, targeted several villages, including Ndogi Gunung, Bilapa, Ilogau, Joambili, Ugimba, and Zanamba. As a result, nearly all residents in these areas have fled.
According to information gathered, since the outbreak of intense gunfire from March 27 to April 3, 2025, a total of 7,120 people have sought refuge in the forests or other areas they considered safe. A TNI personnel named Pratu Fuad Siregar was also reported killed.
The ongoing conflict in Intan Jaya, Central Papua, according to several analysts, is linked to Indonesia’s efforts to seize control of the gold reserves in the Wabu Block. The potential gold and other valuable minerals found in this region are among the largest in the world, aside from those managed by Freeport Indonesia in Timika. (Pace Wene)
