Human Rights Minister: 15 People Killed in Attack in Puncak, Papua

JAKARTA - Indonesia’s Minister for Human Rights, Natalius Pigai, has disclosed that 15 people died in an attack that occurred in Kampung Kembru, Sinak District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, on 14 April 2026.

The government is treating this incident with serious attention as it is deemed capable of disrupting national stability.

“We have confirmed 15 people died as a result of the attack in Kembru,” Pigai stated during a press conference at the Ministry of Human Rights office in Jakarta on Monday (20/4/2026).

According to him, the Ministry of Human Rights has been closely monitoring the developments of this case by gathering information from local government sources and various other channels.

He emphasised that the incident must not be left without legal clarity, as it could become a “time bomb” threatening the integrity of the state.

“Any event that could trigger the emergence of a time bomb that explodes must not be allowed; the chain must not be silenced, it must be opened. That is where justice is obtained for the victims,” he said.

Pigai also underscored the importance of transparently revealing the perpetrators.

He called for those responsible to be promptly processed through honest, fair, and objective legal proceedings.

“If we do not reveal who the perpetrators are, do not gentlemanly disclose them, take responsibility, and carry out legal processes, then our dignity will be the one affected,” he remarked.

He further encouraged the government to handle the case swiftly through law enforcement mechanisms, without needing to await a lengthy process at the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM).

In his view, if the case proceeds as a grave human rights violation, it could become a negative mark for Indonesia on the international stage.

Pigai also reminded that this incident should not interfere with the ongoing national development agenda.