Why the TPNPB-OPM Are Targeting Gold Miners in Papua

Eight gold miners were killed in the Korowai area of Yahukimo Regency in the Papua Highlands on Wednesday, 20 May. The spokesperson for the TPNPB central command, Sebby Sambom, said his group had a strong justification for firing on the miners, arguing that the miners are collaborators with security forces who damage Papua’s ecosystem. “They are stealing our natural wealth,” he said in a WhatsApp voice message on Friday, 22 May 2026.

Attacks and other armed violence carried out by the TPNPB militia against gold miners have not been isolated incidents. Over the past five years, 34 miners have been killed by the TPNPB. In 2021, three gold miners in Kali Kabu, Yahukimo, were killed and left with multiple slash wounds; the TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo claimed responsibility. Two years later, in 2023, seven miners in Seradala, Yahukimo, died from slash wounds and gunfire; the TPNPB again claimed responsibility.

In April 2025, 11 miners in Kali Kabu were killed; days later, six miners in Muarakum were found dead. The TPNPB said they were behind these attacks.

According to Sebby Sambom, violence and killings of gold miners by the militia have in fact occurred since 2017. He admitted he did not have data on the total number of victims. He claimed the actions were intended to preserve ecological sustainability and prevent outsiders from stealing Papua’s natural wealth. He noted that Indigenous Papuans have not benefited from their own natural resources to date.

Sambom added that Yahukimo is one of the war zones where civilians, especially outsiders, should not enter. He said warnings have been issued, so there is no reason to judge these actions as human rights violations. “They (the miners) are TNI-Polri intelligence. We always find pistol and walkie-talkie evidence in their bags,” he said.

Lt Col Wirya Arthadiguna, Head of Information for Koops Habema (the Operational Command unit), condemned the TPNPB militia’s killing of eight gold miners in Yahukimo. He said the TPNPB’s claim that the eight were military intelligence was propaganda used to cover crimes against civilians, including Indigenous Papuans. “The eight are civilians, not security forces as alleged,” he said in a written statement on Friday, 22 May 2026.

To prevent further violence, Koops Habema and joint personnel have intensified patrols at high-risk locations in Yahukimo. The security situation in Yahukimo remains vulnerable but under control. Koops Habema is continuing to pursue suspects believed to be from the TPNPB Kodap XVI Yahukimo faction led by Kopitua Heluka and Dejang Heluka. “The pursuit continues. We have heightened security in Yahukimo,” he said.

Cahyo Pamungkas, a Research Professor at BRIN’s Center for Regional Studies, said the killings by the TPNPB militia cannot be justified under any pretext. He stressed that the militia should not use violence against unarmed people, including miners. “There is evidently hostility from the TPNPB toward outsiders, but these actions cannot be justified,” he said.

To defuse the situation, he proposed that the government, through the TNI, replace the security-handling approach in Papua with dialogue rather than a military approach that could prolong the cycle of violence. According to BRIN research, a dialogical approach tends to be effective in reducing violence in Papua, for example in how the Aceh conflict was resolved. He added that dialogue must be pursued seriously and with strong commitment, and Jakarta must engage directly in Papua.

Cahyo noted that claims of a dialogic approach delegating a number of officials and religious leaders to Papua are not welcomed by TPNPB elements. There needs to be direct dialogue, not mediated, as this will foster trust and reduce armed contact.