WPNLA/TPNPB Personnel (Photo Courtesy).
Yahukimo, Papua – A Total of 11 illegal gold miners, suspected to be members of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) disguised as gold panners, have been executed by the forces of the West Papua National Liberation Army (WPNLA/TPNPB) in Yahukimo. The shootings occurred between April 6 and April 8, 2025, according to a report received by the WPNLA/TPNPB National Central Command through spokesperson Sebby Sambom.
In a press release issued on the evening of Tuesday, April 8, 2025, WPNLA Commander of Kodap XVI Yahukimo, Brigadier General Elkius Kobak, revealed that the forces from the Yamue Battalion and the WSM Battalion successfully carried out an operation that resulted in the deaths of the 11 TNI soldiers.
They were reported to have been disguised as gold panners in an area that has long been a stronghold of TPNPB operations. Three other members were reportedly wounded in the incident.
The operation, which took place over three days, was led by Major Homy Heluka, Commander of the Yamue Battalion, and Almarhum Giban, Commander of the WSM Battalion, with full support from their respective forces. The operation was carefully planned and well-organized.
In the report, WPNLA also sent a firm message to the Indonesian government, specifically to President Prabowo Subianto, urging the immediate cessation of sending disguised troops, posing as gold panners, construction workers, street vendors, or even meatball sellers, to Papua. TPNPB emphasized that if this continues, they would not hesitate to take more drastic actions.
“If they continue sending troops to disguise themselves as gold panners or engage in other activities that harm the people of Papua, we will continue our actions,” read the official TPNPB press release.
TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom also emphasized that the executions were in response to what they considered an act of infiltration and exploitation in the Papua region. TPNPB hopes that this event will serve as a warning to the Indonesian government to respect Papua’s sovereignty.
Earlier, on Monday, April 7, 2025, WPNLA/TPNPB also executed the former head of the Mulia Police Sector, Iptu (Ret.) Djamal Renhoat (62), in the Mulia District, Puncak Jaya Regency, Central Papua. The shooting occurred at night at his home, which also served as a small shop.
“It is true that TPNPB carried out the shooting that led to the death of Iptu (Ret.) Djamal Renhoat,” said the Head of Puncak Jaya Police, AKBP Kuswara. The victim’s body was evacuated and transported to Timika for burial, using a Cessna 208B/PK-SNA aircraft from Smart Cakrawala Aviation.
In his statement, Sebby Sambom confirmed, “Our WPNLA/TPNPB OPM forces shot and killed Iptu Djamal, the former Mulia Police Chief. So, don’t blame others, especially labeling us as a Criminal Armed Group (KKB). Our forces are responsible for this shooting.”
Sebby also explained that the shooting of Iptu Djamal had been planned for a long time due to his activities, which were seen as tracking WPNLA’s movements. “We have been monitoring his activities in this conflict zone, and once the opportunity arose, he was shot,” Sebby stated, adding that Iptu Djamal was not a native Papuan.
Sebby also reminded Indonesian migrants who remain in Papua to consider leaving the region. “The entire Papua region is a war zone between our group and the TNI and the police,” said Sebby Sambom.
So far, WPNLA has designated nine areas in West Papua as war zones. These areas include: Yahukimo, Pegunungan Bintang, Nduga, Puncak Jaya, Intan Jaya, Maybrat, Dogiyai, Paniai, and Deiyai. With this incident, WPNLA hopes that the international community will pay closer attention to the increasingly tense situation in Papua. (Adm)
