Jayapura, Jubi — The Central Executive Board of the Komite Nasional Papua Barat (BPP-KNPB) has issued a number of demands in response to a military operation conducted in several villages in Kembru District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, on April 14, 2026.

The demands were conveyed during a press conference held in Waena, Jayapura City, Papua, on Monday (April 20, 2026).

According to BPP-KNPB, the operation in Kembru District resulted in civilian casualties. At least nine civilians were reported killed by gunfire, while five others sustained gunshot wounds. All of the victims were residents of Tenoti and Kumikomo villages in Kembru District.

Those reported killed were identified as Wundilina Kogoya (36), Kikungge Walia (55), Pelen Kogoya (65), Tigiagan Walia (76), Ekimira Kogoya (47), Daremet Telenggen (55), Inikiwewo Walia (52), Amer Walia (77), and a five-year-old child, Para Walia.

Meanwhile, those reported injured by gunfire were identified as Onde Walia (5), Aliko Walia (5), Nokia Kogoya (21), Anite Telenggen (17), and Daniton Tabuni.

BPP-KNPB strongly condemned the actions of Indonesian security forces, accusing the military and police (TNI–Polri) of carrying out bombings and armed attacks against unarmed civilians in Pogoma and Kembru districts, Puncak Regency, Central Papua.

The group called on the Indonesian government to take full responsibility for the deaths and injuries among civilians, as well as for the destruction of homes and community property resulting from the operation.

It further asserted that such actions constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law, describing them as war crimes. According to BPP-KNPB, those responsible — including commanding officers — should be held accountable through international legal mechanisms.

BPP-KNPB called for the immediate and full suspension of all military operations in civilian areas, particularly in displacement sites in Kembru District.

The group also urged the establishment of an independent and transparent international investigation to uncover the facts surrounding alleged human rights violations in Puncak, Papua.

BPP-KNPB also demanded full access for national and international journalists, as well as humanitarian organizations, to ensure the protection of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The group called for an end to arbitrary arrests of civilians and urged the immediate release of seven individuals reportedly detained in East Beoga District, while also demanding a halt to alleged acts of torture and intimidation.

It further called for a stop to the deployment of additional military forces and urged the withdrawal of all troops, both organic and non-organic, from Puncak and across Papua.

KNPB also appealed to all parties involved in the armed conflict, including Indonesian security forces (TNI–Polri) and the West Papua National Liberation Army  (TPNPB), to immediately cease violence and open the way for peace negotiations mediated by neutral international actors. The organization called on the international community to take concrete steps in response to what it described as a humanitarian emergency in Papua.

At the same time, KNPB reiterated its long-standing political demand for the Papuan people’s right to self-determination as a fundamental solution to the protracted conflict.

KNPB Chairman Agus Kossay said that military operations conducted on April 13–14 in Pogoma and Kembru districts involved the use of helicopters and drones, which he alleged were used to carry out bombings and shootings in residential areas, including Guamo village in Pogoma District.

He said the incidents occurred amid ongoing armed clashes between the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) and TPNPB in several مناطق, but that the violence reportedly extended into civilian areas and displacement sites.

“As a result, civilians — including women, children, and the elderly — became the primary victims,” Kossay said.

He added that preliminary data gathered by BPP-KNPB indicated that at least 12 civilians were killed and seven others injured. However, other reports put the death toll at nine, with five people injured.

“The exact number of victims remains unclear. Limited access to information on the ground has been a major constraint, as several areas remain under the control of security forces,” he said.

KNPB stated that the use of heavy weaponry in civilian-populated areas constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law, which obliges the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

KNPB Deputy Chairman Warpo Wetipo said that, as a democratic country that upholds humanitarian values and adheres to international law, Indonesia should allow international actors to access Papua to monitor and investigate alleged human rights violations.

“Indonesia also needs to provide broader access for civilians in conflict-affected areas, particularly those who have long faced limitations in accessing basic services such as education, healthcare, medicines, and humanitarian aid,” he said.

He also urged the Indonesian government to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Papua, saying such a visit would be crucial for conducting direct investigations into incidents in the region.

Meanwhile, KNPB national spokesperson Ogram Wanimbo rejected claims by the military linking TPNPB to attacks on civilians. He argued that throughout the history of the Papua conflict since the 1960s, pro-independence groups have not targeted civilians or residential areas, and described such allegations as unfounded.

“Therefore, we stress that historically, both OPM and TPNPB have never targeted civilians. We believe the accusations made do not reflect the facts on the ground. We firmly state that the perpetrators in this incident were members of the TNI,” Wanimbo said.

He also dismissed statements made by military officials, including regional commanders and senior leadership, regarding the shooting incident in Puncak that implicated TPNPB.

According to him, testimonies from affected residents indicate that the perpetrators were TNI personnel. He urged the media to report the incident based on verified facts.

“Do not spread unverified or inaccurate information. We reiterate our call for the military to withdraw from districts and villages. Civilians have the right to live safely and peacefully in their own communities. Conflict zones should not be located in residential areas,” he said. (*)