A large-scale Indonesian military operation conducted across the Agisiga, Sugapa and Hitadipa districts of Intan Jaya Regency between mid-May and late July 2026 resulted in a series of armed confrontations and alleged drone strikes, resulting in civilian casualties, destruction of civilian property and widespread displacement. The operation, reportedly launched to pursue local units of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), was accompanied by numerous incidents affecting local indigenous communities in Intan Jaya.
Five civilians were reportedly killed and four injured during armed clashes or security force operations in Intan Jaya between 17 May and late July 2026. Local human rights defenders documented the burning of a dozen homes and religious buildings, attacks on church personnel, as well as allegations of arbitrary detention and extrajudicial killing committed by security force personnel during the operation.
Series of violent events
Armed violence escalated on 17 May 2026, when an explosive device reportedly dropped from an unmanned aerial vehicle exploded near St Paul’s Catholic Church in Mbamogo Village, Agisiga District, injuring four community members after Sunday mass. One of them, Mr Luter Nabelau, later succumbed to his injuries. During June, further alleged drone strikes injured civilians in Agisiga and Hitadipa districts, while military operations intensified following the reported return of TPNPB commander Aibon Kogoya to Intan Jaya.
From 26 June onwards, Indonesian security forces launched large-scale air and ground operations across Agisiga, Sugapa and Hitadipa districts, reportedly involving drones, helicopters and joint ground forces. Local sources reported exchanges of fire with TPNPB fighters, the burning of about ten civilian homes and a church building. Observers confirmed the establishment of new military positions within civilian areas, prompting more than two thousand residents to flee to surrounding forests and to Sugapa town.
Military operations affecting civilians were reported from various areas in Intan Jaya. On 29 June, two Papuan civilians, Mr Daud Hagisimijau, 18, and 16-year-old Kiko Hagisimijau, were reportedly shot by security force personnel while assisting in the construction of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Titigi Village (see photos and video below, source: independent HRD). On the same day, Rev. Elianus Agimbau, a pastor of the Indonesian Tabernacle Church (GKII), was fatally shot whilst fleeing the violence near Mbamogo. Village, Agasiga District. A vehicle carrying clergy and civilians attempting to recover his body was subsequently struck by gunfire.
In a simultaneous incident on 29 June, another civilian named Okto Tigau, 19, was arbitrarily detained by members of the Rajawali Task Force. His body was discovered on 1 July near a military post in the Mamba Village, Sugapa District, bearing multiple gunshot wounds and signs of severe mutilation, giving rise to allegations of torture and extrajudicial execution. On 2 July, pregnant Mrs Merkiana Duwitau and her unborn child were killed during an exchange of fire in Sugapa District.
The military operation had a severe humanitarian impact. Residents from numerous villages across Agisiga, Sugapa and Hitadipa districts reportedly abandoned their homes due to ongoing military operations, in fear of more aerial attacks and armed clashes. Churches, schools and civilian settlements were reportedly affected by the hostilities, while local authorities, church leaders and humanitarian actors faced significant difficulties accessing affected communities and evacuating casualties. The Papua Office of the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) subsequently identified at least seven major violent incidents occurring in Intan Jaya between May and July 2026 and called on the Indonesian Government to review security operations in West Papua, adopt a human rights-based security approach to protect civilian lives. Komnas HAM also urged authorities to conduct prompt, independent and transparent investigations into all killings and allegations of abuse.
The reports of extrajudicial killings of civilians, burning of residential houses and drone attacks against civilians including worshippers raise serious concerns regarding compliance with Indonesia’s obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Allegations of indiscriminate or disproportionate use of force, attacks affecting civilians and civilian objects, arbitrary deprivation of life, torture, enforced disappearance, destruction of civilian property and restrictions on humanitarian access require prompt, independent and impartial investigations.
The conflict in West Papua classifies as non-international armed conflict, in which all parties remain bound by the obligation to distinguish at all times between civilians and persons directly participating in hostilities. Both, the TPNPB and Indonesian security forces, must take all feasible precautions to minimise civilian harm. Even where military objectives are present, parties must take all feasible precautions to minimise incidental civilian harm. The available information indicates that the victims were engaged in ordinary civilian activities at the time of the explosion and there is currently no publicly available evidence suggesting that they were participating in armed hostilities.
Indonesian authorities should ensure a prompt, independent, effective and transparent investigation capable of establishing the facts, determining whether the attack complied with applicable international legal standards, and providing victims with access to justice, effective remedies and adequate reparation.
Security forces reportedly set a dozen residential houses and a GKII Church on fire. A metadata analysis of the video file indicates that the footage was recorded on 27 June 2026
Mr Daud Hagisimijau, 18, and 16-year-old Kiko Hagisimijau were reportedly shot by security force personnel while assisting in the construction of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Titigi Village, 29 June 2026
Detailed Case Data
Document ID: HRM-CAS-100-2026
Region: Indonesia > Central Papua > Intan Jaya > Sugapa
Total number of victims: 2
| # | Number of Victims | Name, Details | Gender | Age | Group Affiliation | Violations |
| 1. | 1 | Daud Hagisimijau |
male | 18 | Indigenous Peoples | ill-treatment |
| 2. | 1 | Kiko Hagisimijau |
male | 16 | Indigenous Peoples | ill-treatment |
Period of incident: 29/06/2026 – 30/06/2026
Perpetrator: Republic Indonesia > Indonesian Security Forces
Issues: drones and clusterammunition, indigenous peoples, security force violence
Sources:
Jubi
Sasagu Papua
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