Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has claimed responsibility for the shooting that killed a driver, Aris Sanda, on the Wamena-Nduga road in Papua Highlands province.
The incident occurred near Lake Habema in Jayawijaya Regency on Tuesday (15/9/2026). The victim was found dead inside his burnt vehicle on Wednesday (16/9/2026).
TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom said the TPNPB Central Headquarters had received an official report from TPNPB Defence Command Area (Kodap) III Ndugama Darakma commander Brigadier General Egianus Kogeya, who claimed responsibility for the shooting.
TPNPB claimed the victim was a military intelligence agent posing as a driver. The group also warned non-Papuan residents against carrying out activities in what it described as a war zone.
“We therefore urge Indonesian migrants working as motorcycle taxi drivers, taxi drivers and civil servants to stop their activities,” Sebby Sambom said in a written statement on Wednesday (16/9/2026).
Sambom said those who ignored the warning could face being shot dead because TPNPB considered them part of Indonesian military intelligence operating in the armed conflict zone.
He said the ultimatum was an important warning that TPNPB claimed was consistent with international humanitarian law.
TPNPB also called on non-Papuan drivers not to use the Trans Wamena Road in future, saying the route should only be used by Indigenous Papuans and their passengers.
“We do not allow migrants to enter the war zone in Papua, so we do not want to see Indonesian migrants on the road again,” Sambom said.
According to an official statement from the Indonesian military’s Habema Operations Command, the victim was a Toraja-born route driver who had operated between Wamena and Mbua since 2013.
The incident reportedly began at about 6am Papua time near the Lake Habema intersection at Mount Boy, Trikora District, Jayawijaya Regency, on the Wamena-Mbua route.
A group of armed men stopped the vehicle carrying the victim and his passengers and checked the driver and everyone inside the vehicle.
The passengers were then ordered to return towards Wamena, while the victim was taken towards the Lake Habema area.
After receiving the report, the Habema Operations Command launched a search and sweep of the surrounding area.
The team found a burnt vehicle with the driver’s body inside on Wednesday (16/9/2026).
The body was evacuated according to established procedures, while authorities continued to investigate the circumstances of the incident and gather witness statements.
Habema Operations Command spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel M. Wirya Arthadiguna said the victim had died as a result of violence allegedly committed by TPNPB.
“During the incident, a driver named Aris Sanda, also known as Bapak Tasya, from Toraja, was reported to have been the victim of violence by the armed OPM Kodap III Ndugama group, resulting in his death,” Wirya Arthadiguna said in a written statement on Wednesday (16/9/2026).
The Habema Operations Command said it would pursue the armed group involved and support law enforcement efforts.
Meanwhile, Damai Cartenz Operations public relations task force commander Senior Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo said security personnel were still heading to the area to investigate the incident.
“Yes, the incident happened yesterday. Our personnel are still at the location and have not yet returned,” Yusuf Sutejo said in a statement on Wednesday (16/9/2026). (*)
