Gusty Da Costa – The Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) has called for an immediate halt to a military operation that has reportedly affected three villages in Papua's Intan Jaya Regency.
According to a statement released by PGI on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the early morning raid on May 13, 2025 targeted the villages of Sugapalama, Jaintaapa, and Ndugusiga – located between the Sugapa and Hitadipa districts – resulting in civilian injuries and displacements.
The Evangelical Tabernacle Church reported that the attack left a child wounded in the ear by bullet fragments and a woman injured in her right arm. PGI condemned the incident, saying that targeting civilian areas, particularly those inhabited by church members, is unacceptable and risks violating humanitarian and legal norms, especially regarding the safety of children and women.
PGI urged the President, the Indonesian Military (TNI) commander, the Police chief, and the leadership of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) to immediately stop all armed operations in civilian areas. The church council called for medical teams,
local authorities, and humanitarian groups to be allowed access to aid the victims.
In its appeal, PGI also called for the restoration of peace in the affected villages and for support in ensuring the safe return of displaced church members. It emphasized the need for a government-facilitated dialogue between conflicting parties to seek a peaceful resolution and prevent future violence.
PGI stressed that resolving the Papua conflict must be done without violence and in a dignified, democratic manner.