Vidya Pinandhita, Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) said on Monday it had strong suspicions that soldiers might have been responsible for the deaths of 12 civilians, including women and children, during a military operation against a separatist group in Kembru village, Central Papua, last week. The Indonesian Military (TNI) has denied the claims.
The government-sanctioned independent body said its preliminary investigation found indications that the victims had died from gunshot wounds during what the TNI described as an "enforcement operation" against rebels from the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).
When asked whether the commission had identified possible perpetrators in the preliminary probe, chairwoman Anis Hidayah said on Monday that there was a strong suspicion that TNI soldiers might have been involved in the killings. "It's true [that we have that suspicion]. Our preliminary findings are that 12 civilians died," Anis told The Jakarta Post.
Komnas HAM commissioner Saurlin Siagian said the preliminary findings were based on information from local authorities and other verified sources.
"We are deeply concerned that all the victims were civilians. This clearly indicates a human rights violation," Saurlin said, noting that the commission was awaiting a more conducive situation in Papua to gather further evidence.
Later on Monday, Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai told a press conference in Jakarta that a total of 15 people were killed in the incident, without disclosing how many of the dead were civilians.
He neither confirmed nor denied Komnas HAM's suspicion of the TNI's involvement in the killings, but said the alleged perpetrators had been identified and urged them to come forward.
He said any suspected perpetrators in the attacks against civilians should be investigated in a "transparent manner".
The incident has put the TNI's Habema task force, which is conducting operations against the TPNPB in Central Papua, including the one on April 14 in Kembru village, under scrutiny.
The TPNPB is the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), which the government refers to as an armed criminal group and classifies its members as terrorists.
TNI denial
Habema task force spokesperson Wirya Arthadiguna denied any military involvement in the civilian deaths.
He said two separate incidents had occurred on April 14. The first took place in Kembru village, where troops reportedly came under fire from an armed group believed to be affiliated with the OPM during a patrol, resulting in a firefight that left four members of the OPM dead.
The second incident occurred in Jigunggi village, where authorities received reports of a child killed by a gunshot wound. The military is still investigating the case.
"The TNI confirms that there was no activity by soldiers during the shooting [of the child]," Wirya told the Post on Monday. "The two incidents occurred at different locations and times, and were not related."
Another Komnas HAM commissioner, Amiruddin Al Rahab, called on the TNI commander to evaluate the deployment of the Habema task force, citing repeated civilian casualties linked to its operations, and urged House of Representatives Commission I overseeing defense and security to summon the military leadership for clarification.
"What kind of operational force is this, exactly? There has been no declaration of martial law in Papua, yet military operations continue," Amiruddin said on Sunday, as quoted by Tempo.
Resource-rich Papua, home to one of the world's largest gold and copper mines, has been plagued by severe underdevelopment and exploitation, which has galvanized separatist movements that have simmered in the background for decades.
In February 2023, a faction of the TPNPB led by Egianus Kogoya captured New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens following a routine flight to Nduga regency, Papua Highlands. The incident caught international attention and exacerbated tensions in the area amid skirmishes between security forces trying to free Mehrtens and separatists.
The armed group released Mehrtens in September 2024, after holding him hostage for 19 months. His release came after intense diplomatic efforts by Wellington and Jakarta, and negotiations involving traditional leaders, community figures and church leaders. (ipa)