Papuan Separatists Declare War, Claim Executed Construction Workers Were Indonesian Intelligence Agents

An armed separatist group in Papua has declared war on the Indonesian government. The group, identifying itself as the West Papua National Liberation Army - Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB - OPM), has designated the Tolikara region in Papua Highlands as a war zone against all Indonesian forces and military. The statement was made following the group’s killing of five construction workers in the area on Monday (3/8/2026). TPNPB - OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom told Republika that the five workers who were shot dead were undercover members of the Indonesian military. “We take responsibility for the shooting of five Indonesian military intelligence agents who were disguised as construction workers,” Sebby said on Monday. The execution took place in Kanggime District during an armed group operation to purge non-indigenous residents. “We have been conducting a cleansing operation against Indonesian military intelligence agents since yesterday,” Sebby added.