Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – A spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), Sebby Sambom, reported a shootout between his group and the Indonesian Military (TNI) in Kampung Kulapa, Intan Jaya, Papua, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. He claimed that five civilians were shot by military personnel during the incident.

"The military opened fire on five civilians as they were attempting to flee their homes," Sebby said in a written statement on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

According to him, three of the five civilians shot were declared dead: Isak Kobogau, Alfons Kobogau, and Johanes Tipagau. He added that two other civilians, Ones Kobogau and Aner Kobogau, sustained gunshot wounds.

Sebby also claimed that two military personnel were injured by OPM forces led by the Deputy Commander of TPNPB Kodap VIII Intan Jaya, Colonel Apeni Kobogau.

He urged the military not to attack civilians, asserting that during the shootout, the military fired upon civilians present at the scene. "Civilians who did not flee became victims of the military's brutality during the operation," he said.

The TPNPB-OPM called for an immediate halt to all civilian activities, including development projects, in Intan Jaya. This step, they stated, is intended to prevent further civilian casualties from ongoing gun battles between the OPM and TNI.

Colonel Infantry Candra Kurniawan, Head of Information for the Cenderawasih Regional Military Command, stated that he had not received any information regarding the alleged shootout incident in Intan Jaya. Meanwhile, the Chief of the Information Center (Kapuspen TNI), Major General Kristomei Sianturi, has not yet responded to Tempo's inquiries.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2018970/tpnpb-opm-claims-3-dead-2-injured-in-intan-jaya-shootout-with-tn