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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Conflict & Security

Three Civilians Injured in Papua Shooting Amid Military Operations

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Three civilians were injured in Maybrat, Southwest Papua, by gunfire reportedly from security forces during military operations.
  • The victims, including two women, were reportedly in a hut after gardening when shots were fired.
  • The incident has caused unrest, with residents protesting at the Maybrat Police, demanding an investigation into the alleged involvement of security personnel.

Tensions remain high in Papua, Indonesia, as three civilians were reportedly injured by gunfire attributed to security forces in Maybrat, Southwest Papua. The incident occurred on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in Ainot Village, Aifat District, during ongoing military operations in the region.

Three civilians, namely Selviana Sorry and Ana Fatie who are adult women and Silvester Assem, an adult man, suffered injuries in the incident that occurred around 6:00 PM Western Indonesian Time.

— Yayasan Keadilan dan Keutuhan Manusia Papua (YKKMP)Detailing the victims and the time of the incident.

According to reports from the Papua Justice and Integrity Human Rights Foundation (YKKMP) and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM), the victims were in a hut after engaging in gardening and sago processing when shots were fired. The injured individuals, identified as Selviana Sorry, Ana Fatie, and Silvester Assem, sustained injuries to their heads and legs. They have since been evacuated for medical attention.

According to initial information received by YKKMP from witnesses, when the incident occurred, it was getting dark at the location. Several residents were in a hut or tent after carrying out gardening activities and tapping or processing sago.

— Yayasan Keadilan dan Keutuhan Manusia Papua (YKKMP)Describing the circumstances at the scene before the shooting.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that a group of over 20 members of the security task force, believed to be TNI personnel, arrived at the location using flashlights as darkness fell. A volley of shots was then directed at the hut and its surroundings, causing panic among the residents. Due to the remote location and the late hour, the evacuation process for the injured could only commence the following morning, Friday, August 14, 2026.

Witnesses mentioned that more than 20 members of the Security Task Force, which according to their statement were TNI personnel, came to the location using flashlights. After being around the hut, a series of shots were heard directed at the hut and its surroundings.

— Yayasan Keadilan dan Keutuhan Manusia Papua (YKKMP)Recounting the arrival of security forces and the commencement of firing.

The incident has sparked public unrest, with residents reportedly gathering at the Maybrat Police station to protest and demand a swift investigation. YKKMP stressed the need for an independent, objective, and transparent inquiry to determine the alleged involvement of security forces. This shooting adds to a series of civilian casualties in the Papua conflict, following recent incidents including the killing of five road construction workers and two pregnant women reportedly caught in crossfire.

The alleged involvement of security forces in the incident must be proven through an independent, objective, transparent, and legally accountable investigation.

— Yayasan Keadilan dan Keutuhan Manusia Papua (YKKMP)Demanding a thorough investigation into the shooting.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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