TNI-OPM Shootout Kills 15 Civilians, Regent: Our People Know Nothing, But They Die
The ongoing armed conflict in Papua continues to leave deep sorrow and wounds among the indigenous people in Indonesia’s easternmost province. Puncak Regent in Central Papua, Elvis Tabuni, has questioned what wrong his people have done to repeatedly become victims of the brutality in the armed conflict between the Indonesian National Army (TNI) and the separatist group Free Papua Organisation (OPM).
In a video message sent to Republika on Monday (27 April 2026), Elvis expressed his uncontrollable grief over the firefight between TNI troops and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM) in Kembru village on 14 April 2026. In that incident, an official report from the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) submitted to Republika last week revealed that 15 ordinary civilians were killed, including women, men, and children.
Additionally, the shootout resulted in three children, two women, and one adult male sustaining gunshot wounds from shrapnel. The clash between TNI and OPM also triggered a wave of exodus by hundreds of residents seeking safe places that are actually hard to find. Regent Elvis questioned why the shooting and conflict between TNI and OPM forces targeted his civilians.
With tears and flowing tears, Regent Elvis pleaded for the prolonged conflict to stop. “I respect all my community, especially the people of Kambru who experienced the incident on 14 April. My people were there. But my people are gone, without fault. Small children are not at fault. Mothers are not at fault. My people are not at fault,” said Elvis. “Our people know nothing. But they die,” Elvis added.
Director of the Papua Justice and Human Integrity Foundation, Theo Hesegem, reminded that the shootout between TNI and TPNPB-OPM in Kembru village last week proves there is no progress in protecting human rights for the people of Papua. Theo urged President Prabowo Subianto to take the armed conflict, which has been too long and claimed many lives in Papua, seriously.
“I ask Father President Prabowo Subianto to view this incident from a humanitarian perspective by prioritising civilian protection,” said Theo when contacted by Republika from Jakarta on Monday (27 April 2026). According to him, the incident in Kembru village, which resulted in the deaths of 15 civilians, is evidence that Indonesian security authorities, as well as the armed separatist group Free Papua Organisation, do not heed international laws.
Theo stated that even in warfare, civilians must remain a party unrelated to the conflict and entitled to protection. “Civilians have the right to protection under international humanitarian law. This legal framework establishes basic protections for individuals not directly involved in armed conflicts,” said Theo. He called for a thorough investigation and inquiry into the incident in Kembru village.
At least 15 civilians, including children and vulnerable groups, were reported dead in a crackdown operation by the Indonesian National Army (TNI) against the armed Free Papua separatist group in Kembru village, Kembru District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua. The Komnas HAM report is still under investigation, and information on the total number of victims in the military operation that occurred on Tuesday (14 April 2026) is being gathered.