Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Justice and Human Integrity Foundation (YKKMP) has reported alleged military sweeps, intimidation, interrogations and physical assaults, including against a man with disabilities, in Tolikara Regency, Papua Highland Province, on October 7-8, 2026.
In a monitoring report released on Thursday, October 22, YKKMP also alleged that Indonesian military (TNI) personnel seized personal belongings from residents during operation in Telenggeme, Kembu, Gundagi and Umagi districts.
The report, signed by YKKMP executive director Theo Hesegem, is based on accounts from witnesses and affected residents. Jubi has not independently verified the allegations.
According to YKKMP, non-organic TNI personnel crossed the mountains towards Kembu at about 4am Papua time on October 7.
A local community leader told the organisation he encountered about 15 soldiers while returning home after feeding livestock. None soldiers allegedly stopped him, asked for his identity and checked his Indonesian identity card.
The soldiers then reportedly told him they had arrived to escort government rice assistance intended for the community.
YKKMP said the soldiers entered Gundagi District at about 1am the following day and broke into a home of a man identified as NW, who is blind and has a long-term physical disability affecting both legs.
NW was lying in bed when the soldiers allegedly entered him home.
Despite his disabilities, NW is known in the Mamit area and across Tolikara for his mechanical skills. Residents reportedly bring him equipment, including chainsaws, grass-cutting machines and air riffles, for repairs.
He also repairs electronic equipment, diesel engines and generators, installs electrical wiring and previously helped restore a micro-hydropower system in Kembu at the request of a missionary identified as Weshley.
According to YKKMP, NW raised both hands to indicate surrender because he had already heard reports of the soldiers’ arrival.
The soldiers allegedly broke down doors to two bedrooms and a bathroom before searching the rooms and taking items from bags inside the house.
NW reportedly told them the items included company documents belonging to his older brother.
Man with disabilities allegedly assaulted
YKKMP said the soldiers question NW about Botak Wanimbo and His whereabout.
One soldier allegedly struck NW four times on the forehead with a large screwdriver, while another reportedly hit him three times on the back with a fan belt.
The soldiers also allegedly took several items, including air rifles belonging to community members that NW had repaired, disassembled air rifle components, his family card, identity card, mobile phone and bank passbook.
According to the report, several other people were inside the house, including NW’s father, a Christian minister aged over 72, two adult women and four children.
YKKMP alleged that three soldiers pointed firearms at NW’s father and demanded information about Botak Wanimbo and his whereabouts.
The report said the elderly man was ordered to place his hands on the floor and that a soldier attempted to stab him with a knife. He reportedly pulled his hands away as the knife was dropped, avoiding injury.
YKKMP said the man was then taken outside the traditional house, known locally as a honai, with his eyes covered by a cloth. Soldiers allegedly took turns questioning him about Botak Wanimbo while moving around the church grounds.
The foundation said the incidents formed part of a wider series of searches and interrogations in the area.
At about 2am, on October 8, TNI personnel allegedly visited homes near Woraga State Elementary School and ordered residents to come outside.
One resident who spoke Indonesian fluently was reportedly questioned about Botak Wanimbo and his whereabouts. After saying he did not know, he and about 20 other people were ordered to gather in the grounds of the GIDI Moria Church.
The witness also told YKKMP that several young men, including himself, were taken aside individually and questioned about Botak Wanimbo, the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM) and the group’s whereabouts. They reportedly denied having the information.
Pastor also questioned
At about 6am on October 8, the wife of the pastor of the GIDI Moria congregation was preparing food for her child to take to school when three TNI personnel arrived at her home, according to YKKMP.
The soldiers reportedly asked about her place of origin and her husband. She told them he was praying at a prayer house.
After repeatedly being pressured to call him, she eventually contacted her husband, who then approached the house using back path.
YKKMP said soldiers were waiting along the path and detained the pastor for questioning about Botak Wanimbo and his associates.
The pastor reportedly explained that he was a Christian minister serving in the GIDI Moria congregation. He also described his background, including time spent living in Java and Kalimantan, and he said he said heard about the soldiers’ arrival before they came.
YKKMP said the pastor reported that the military personnel had arrived in three civilian trucks and two civilian Mitsubishi Triton vehicles. The truck drivers were wearing civilian clothing. They then left the area at about 11am Papua time.
YKKMP calls for investigation and return of belongings
In response to what it described as a military operation in Tolikara, YKKMP called on the Indonesian government to allow domestic and foreign journalists access to Papua to report on the human rights situation.
The organisation also urged the United Nations to establish an investigative team through its special procedures to examine the underlying causes of the conflict and alleged abuses in Papua.
It called on the Indonesian government to facilitate a visit to Papua by relevant United Nations human rights experts.
YKKMP further urged the government to open space for peaceful dialogue with the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), which it described as the political umbrella for pro independence groups.
The organisation called on the commander of the Habema Task Force, which it said was operating in Tolikara from October 6 to 8, to return belongings allegedly taken from community members.
It also urged the Tolikara regency government to provide phycological recovery support and address material losses suffered by residents following the reported operations in Telenggeme, Kembu, Gundagi, and Umagi.
YKKMP’s demands follow allegations of physical violence, intimidation and property seizures during the military operations. The allegations have not been independently verified, and response from the TNI or the Habema Task Force was not included in the report provided to Jubi. (*)
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