Manokwari, Jubi – The XVIII/Kasuari Regional Military Command (Kodam) says three Maybrat residents — Silvester Assem, Selviana Sory and Anike Fatie — were injured by sharp weapons, rather than gunfire.
The statement was issued in response to an incident involving the three residents in Maybrat Regency, Southwest Papua.
The three were previously reported to have been shot near the Kamundan River/Aifam estuary, an area on the boundary between Ainot and Aifam villages in East Central Aifat District, Maybrat, on Thursday evening (13/08/2026).
The suspected gunfire was believed to have come from Indonesian Navy personnel operating in the area. However, XVIII/Kasuari Military Command spokesperson Col.
Daniel Manalu said a preliminary assessment of the victims’ injuries indicated that they were not consistent with gunshot wounds.
“However, there is a strong indication that the injuries were caused by a sharp weapon. This was confirmed through initial checks in the field. At the time of the incident, there were no TNI troops conducting operations around Ainot,” Manalu said in a press statement on Sunday (16/08/2026).
Manalu said the Kasuari Military Command expressed deep concern over the violent incident, which was allegedly carried out by unidentified assailants and left three civilians injured.
“We condemn the violence committed by the unidentified perpetrators, who have made civilians the victims. For us, the safety of the community is the top priority, and we do not want such incidents to happen again because they have caused fear and anxiety among residents,” he said.
Manalu said the Kasuari Military Command was continuing a comprehensive investigation to establish what happened. He added that all available information and testimony would be examined objectively to avoid drawing premature conclusions.
The command also praised the swift response of medical teams and security personnel at the scene, who provided immediate treatment to the victims. The three residents are now receiving further medical care at Sele Be Solu Regional General Hospital in Sorong.
Manalu urged the people of Maybrat to remain calm and avoid being provoked or sharing information whose source and accuracy have not been verified.
“In a situation like this, we all have a responsibility to ensure that Southwest Papua,
particularly Maybrat, remains safe and conducive,” he said.
He said the military command would publicly disclose significant developments from
the investigation once the information had been properly verified. (*)
