Jayapura, Jubi – Indonesian security forces have launched a joint operation to pursue fighters from the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) following the killing of five road construction workers in Papua Highlands Province on Sunday (2 August 2026).
The operation comes amid reports that the escalating conflict between pro-independence Papuan fighters and Indonesian security forces has triggered further internal displacement among Indigenous communities across the Papua Highlands and surrounding areas, according to a report by RNZ Pacific cited by Jubi on Wednesday (5 August 2026).
The TPNPB has claimed responsibility for the deaths of the five Indonesian construction workers in Tolikara Regency, alleging they were Indonesian intelligence operatives posing as civilian construction workers.
The Indonesian government, however, blamed the killings on what it describes as an "Armed Criminal Group" (KKB) – the term it uses for the TPNPB. Police and military personnel have since launched a manhunt for those responsible.
Last month, American pilot Nicholas Goselin was shot dead by TPNPB fighters after landing a small commercial aircraft in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highlands.
The TPNPB alleged that Goselin had been assisting Indonesian military operations by transporting security personnel, a claim denied by the aircraft's operator, PT AMA.
In early 2023, New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens was held hostage for 18 months by a separate faction within the TPNPB after landing his aircraft in Nduga Regency. Like Goselin's aircraft, Mehrtens' plane was set on fire following the incident.
In April last year, 16 Indonesian nationals described by authorities as illegal gold miners were also killed by TPNPB fighters in Yahukimo Regency.
The TPNPB has again warned outsiders against entering areas it considers a war zone and reiterated its call for Indonesian civilians to leave the Papua Highlands.
"All Indonesian government military intelligence agents and Indonesian migrants working as motorcycle taxi drivers, construction workers, health workers, teachers and civil servants must immediately cease their activities in TPNPB operational areas in Tolikara," the group said in a statement.
The Indonesian military's response to these attacks – marked by intensified security operations – has reportedly led to fresh waves of civilian displacement across several parts of the highlands.
According to Human Rights Monitor, military operations launched following the killing of Goselin have resulted in the deaths of three Indigenous Papuan civilians in the Korowai region over the past eight days.
The organisation also reported that hundreds of Indigenous Papuans, including children, pregnant women and elderly people, had fled into nearby forests to escape the operations.
Human Rights Monitor said local sources and the TPNPB alleged that Indonesian security forces had attacked villages using ground troops, helicopters and drones. Those claims have not been independently verified.
The organisation estimates that, as of the end of June 2026, more than 125,931 civilians across several regencies remained internally displaced because of military operations and the ongoing armed conflict.
Source: https://en.jubi.id/conflict-deepens-as-mass-displacement-continues-in-papua-highlands