Habema Task Force Claims No Operation Underway When Child Was Shot
The Habema TNI Koops Task Force has responded to accusations that TNI shot civilian victims, including children, during an operation in Kampung Kembru, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, on 14 April 2026. The Head of Information for the Habema TNI Koops Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Infantry Wirya Arthadiguna, stated that the shooting of children and the operation against the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) were two separate incidents.
Wirya explained that although both events occurred on 14 April 2026, they did not take place at the same location. “Therefore, it cannot be concluded that they are interconnected events,” Wirya said in a written statement on Saturday, 18 April 2026.
According to Wirya, the first incident occurred on 14 April 2026 in Kampung Kembru, Puncak Regency, Central Papua. At that time, TNI was following up on reports from residents about OPM presence in the area.
Wirya recounted that upon arriving at the location, the team was fired upon by an armed group, leading to a firefight. In this incident, four individuals from the armed OPM group were declared dead.
From the scene, TNI personnel also secured several pieces of evidence indicating armed group activities, including two homemade firearms, one air rifle, 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm ammunition, one spent cartridge, a bow and arrows, and various sharp weapons such as machetes, axes, swords, and knives.
Additionally, the task force found communication equipment consisting of several mobile phones and handy talkies (HTs), OPM flags, identity documents, and other personal items.
Meanwhile, the second incident also occurred on 14 April 2026 in Kampung Jiginggi, Central Papua. Kampung Jiginggi is 3 kilometres from Kembru.
It began when TNI personnel received a report from village head Venius Walia stating that a child from his village had died from a gunshot wound. Wirya said TNI immediately conducted checks and confirmed the victim’s presence. However, investigations and in-depth inquiries are still ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident.
“TNI emphasises that there was no activity by TNI personnel in Kampung Jiginggi at the time of the shooting of the child, and the two events occurred at different locations and times and are not related,” Wirya stated.
Wirya affirmed that TNI is committed to acting professionally, transparently, and accountably in carrying out its duties.
This statement differs from findings by Komnas HAM. Komnas HAM Chair Anis Hidayah stated that the Habema task force operation against TPNPB-OPM resulted in the deaths of civilians in Kembru District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, on 14 April 2026.
Komnas HAM Chair Anis Hidayah said the crackdown operation caused 12 civilians to die, including vulnerable groups such as children and women with gunshot wounds. Additionally, dozens of other civilians suffered serious injuries.
Anis stated that Komnas HAM is still gathering information and coordinating with all parties to confirm the number of victims and their conditions.
“A crackdown operation that can be categorised as a military operation or military operation other than war resulting in civilian deaths cannot be justified for any reason,” said Anis Hidayah in her official statement on 17 April 2026.