On 17 May 2026, an Indonesian military drone reportedly dropped grenades on the St Paul's Catholic Church in Mbamogo Village, Agisiga District, Intan Jaya Regency, shortly after worshippers had completed Sunday mass. Various sources including local media and human rights defenders reported that at least four Indigenous Papuans sustained shrapnel injuries following explosions inside the church compound. Another indigenous Papuan was injured during a similar incident involving a battle drone in the neighbouring Danggoa Village on 19 May 2029. More than thousand residents were reportedly fled surrounding villages due to fear of further attacks. Reports indicate that the attack occurred in a civilian religious area at a time when parishioners were leaving the church grounds.
Various sources consistently reported that the explosion occurred within the grounds of St Paul's Church at approximately 12:15 pm Papua Time, shortly after Sunday worship had concluded. The explosives were delivered by drones while shots were indiscriminately released to cause panic. Some sources mention the use of bazookas. The attack spread fear among the local population and allegedly triggered large-scale civilian displacement into forests and towards Sugapa town (see photos below, source: independent HRDs). Affected villages across the Agisiga District area included the villages Soali, Dangoa, Mbamogo and Tausiga.
Mr Pit Pogau, Mr Robert Nabelau, Mr Pius Pogau and Mr Piter Nabelau suffered injuries caused by explosive fragments during the incident. Two victims were reportedly evacuated by the Bilogai Parish pastoral team under the leadership of Father Yanuarius Yance Yogi, Pr, Dean of the Moni Puncak Deanery on 17 May 2026. They received medical treatment at the Bilogai General Hospital in Sugapa District (see photos below, source: independent HRDs). The two other injured victims could not be evacuated immediately due to the deteriorating security situation and difficult terrain.
An update received on 19 May 2026 indicates that Indonesian military operations in Intan Jaya Regency have continued. According to local informants, Indonesian military forces allegedly conducted another aerial drone operation across Agisiga District on 19 May 2026. A further drone attack reportedly occurred in Danggoa village around 12.00 noon, whilst civilians were gathered in a residential courtyard. A civilian identified as Mr Erwin Mirip allegedly sustained injuries after being struck on the right thigh by a grenade dropped from a drone. Other residents reportedly fled into surrounding forests to escape the aerial attacks.
Both attacks have been caused by the significant escalation of Indonesian military operations in Intan Jaya Regency since 12 May 2026. Local sources reported the deployment of six military helicopters transporting troops and military supplies from Timika and Nabire into Sokopaki Mission Airfield in Sugapa District, a Catholic Church-owned airstrip located in the centre of Sugapa town. Following the deployment, Indonesian military personnel reportedly conducted operations from Sugapa towards Titigi and Bilogai villages, entering civilian residential compounds whilst carrying firearms and causing widespread fear among residents.
Human rights organisations have called for a transparent and professional investigation into the bombings. They urged Indonesian authorities to provide protection for civilians, students, religious leaders, women and children in the Central Papua Province.
A previous military operation had already taken place in Danggoa, Mbamoggo and neighbouring villages in April 2023. Parts of the villages had been burnt to the ground by Indonesian military forces between 9 and 11 April 2023. HRM compiled a report following a comprehensive investigation including satellite imagery analysis, witness testimonies, and on-the-ground research, which documented the destruction of 28 houses, the extrajudicial killing of four civilians, and injuries to three others, including two minors. These war crimes against the civilian population in Mbamoggo have never been officially investigated and many remain internally displaced without government assistance.
Human rights and humanitarian law analysis
The incident raises serious concerns under international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Religious buildings and civilians enjoy special protection during armed conflict under international humanitarian law and Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions. The alleged use of explosive weapons in or near a civilian church compound during or immediately after religious worship may violate the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. Even in situations involving non-international armed conflict, parties to the conflict must distinguish at all times between civilians and combatants and refrain from attacks expected to cause excessive civilian harm.
The reported attack also engages Indonesia's obligations under the United Nations human rights framework, including the right to life under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the right to freedom of religion under Article 18 ICCPR, and protections against arbitrary interference with civilian security and religious practice. The mass displacement of civilians and the reported targeting of church grounds may additionally amount to violations of protections afforded to internally displaced persons and Indigenous Papuan communities living in conflict-affected areas.
Detailed case data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-066-2026
Region: Indonesia > Central Papua > Intan Jaya > Agisiga
Total number of victims: 5
1. Pit Pogau, male adult Indigenous Peoples freedom of religion, ill-treatment, right to life
2. Robert Nabelau, male adult Indigenous Peoples freedom of religion, ill-treatment, right to life
3. Pius Pogau, male adult Indigenous Peoples freedom of religion, ill-treatment, right to life
4. Piter Nabelau, male adult Indigenous Peoples freedom of religion, ill-treatment, right to life
5. Erwin Mirip, male adult Indigenous Peoples ill-treatment, right to life
Period of incident: 17/05/2026-19/05/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces > Indonesian Military (TNI)
Issues: indigenous peoples, security force violence
Sources: Suara Papua, Detik Papua, Jelata News