Is the Swelling TNI Posture in Papua Triggering a Rise in Civilian Deaths?

Records from the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) indicate a rising trend of violence and armed conflict in the Papuan highlands. In 2022, there were 46 recorded incidents of violence and armed conflict. This figure rose to 81 incidents in 2023, and continued to climb to 96 incidents in 2024 and 97 incidents in 2025. As of April this year, 26 violent incidents have already been recorded.

In terms of fatalities, 71 civilians were shot dead throughout 2025. Additionally, 38 members of separatist groups were killed and 10 security personnel died. A further 43 individuals sustained injuries. Among the civilian victims, indigenous Papuans (OAP) suffered the most casualties up to April 2026, with 35 dead, 20 injured, and seven taken hostage, out of a total of 46 fatalities, 32 injuries, and seven hostages.

The increase in violent incidents and civilian deaths coincides with a reinforcement of Indonesian Military (TNI) troops in Papua. According to calculations by the NGO Imparsial in 2023, the number of TNI soldiers in Papua was estimated at 14,000 personnel, both organic and non-organic, across three service branches. Almost all of these soldiers belong to combat-qualified units.

This figure grew following the establishment of five new battalions in Papua in October 2024. These units are tasked with supporting a food security programme linked to the food estate project in the region. Among the new battalions, Yonif 801 is reinforced by 691 soldiers, 450 of whom were brought in from Kodam III/Siliwangi and 150 from Kodam I/Bukit Barisan. Yonif 802 is also reinforced by 691 soldiers, with 350 from Kodam Jaya, 150 from Kodam II/Sriwijaya, and 100 from Kodam Iskandar Muda.

Yonif 803 is reinforced by 691 soldiers, comprising 230 from Kodam V/Brawijaya, 25 from Kodam VI/Mulawarman, 225 from Kodam XIV/Hasanuddin, 100 from Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih, and 20 from Kodam XVIII/Kasuari. Yonif 804 is reinforced by 691 soldiers, with 400 from Kodam IV/Diponegoro, 43 from Kodam XII/Tanjungpura, and 157 from Kodam XIII/Merdeka. Yonif 805 is reinforced by 691 soldiers, 306 of whom are from Kodam IX/Udayana and 294 from Kodam XVI/Pattimura.