TNI Clarifies Two Separate Shooting Incidents in Papua, Unrelated
Jakarta, VIVA – The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) has responded to circulating information in society regarding the alleged shooting of a child in Papua. Based on gathered data, there were two separate incidents that both took place on 14 April 2026 at different locations, so they cannot be concluded as interconnected events.
The Head of Public Information of the TNI Information Centre, Colonel (Navy) Agung Saptoadi, explained that the first incident occurred on 14 April 2026 in Kampung Kembru, Papua, where based on reports from the community, there was the presence of an OPM armed group in the area. Following up on this information, TNI personnel conducted a patrol and inspection.
“Upon arriving at the location, the team received fire from the armed group, resulting in a firefight. In this incident, four individuals from the OPM armed group were neutralised,” said Agung, quoted from his statement on Saturday, 18 April 2026.
From the scene, the authorities also secured several pieces of evidence indicating the activities of the armed group, including two homemade firearms, one air rifle, 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm ammunition, one spent cartridge, a bow and arrows, as well as various bladed weapons such as machetes, axes, swords, and knives.
Additionally, communication equipment was found, including 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 Jigiunggi, Papua, which is nearly 7 km away—sufficiently distant from Kampung Kembru—where TNI personnel received a report from the local village head regarding a child who had died from a gunshot wound.
“TNI immediately conducted an inspection and confirmed the presence of the victim. However, to date, further investigation and probing are still underway to determine the exact cause of the incident,” he added.
TNI emphasises that there was no involvement of TNI personnel in the shooting of the child, the two events occurred at distant locations, at different times, and are unrelated, with no TNI patrol activities in Kampung Jigiunggi at the time of the incident. TNI is committed to always acting professionally, transparently, and accountably in every execution of duties.