TNI denies troops attacked Maybrat residents; blames unknown assailants

The Indonesian military (TNI) has vehemently denied any involvement in an armed attack that injured three civilians in the Maybrat district of Papua Barat Daya on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The Head of the TNI Information Center, Major General Muhammad Nas, stated that no TNI personnel were present or moving in Kampung Ainot, the site of the incident, at the time of the attack.

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It is important for me to convey that, based on the facts on the ground at the time of the incident, there were no elements or movement of TNI troops during the incident.

Nas clarified that TNI forces, in fact, were the first responders after the incident, conducting sweeps and evacuating the victims. He refuted claims from some reports, which cited "witnesses" alleging that uniformed TNI members were the perpetrators. According to Nas, witnesses from the victims' families identified the attackers as unknown individuals not wearing TNI uniforms.

The TNI spokesperson emphasized that the military's mission in Papua is to protect and assist the local population, not to create fear. He stated that the TNI's presence is a response to the increasing number of attacks by armed groups targeting both local residents and newcomers in the region.

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The TNI is present in Papua not to create fear for the local residents. On the contrary, their presence is a response to armed groups that are increasingly carrying out attacks on local residents and newcomers.

The incident has prompted calls for a thorough investigation by the government and security forces. The Yayasan Keadilan dan Keutuhan Manusia Papua (YKKMP), a human rights organization, has urged authorities to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

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Based on witnesses from the victims' families, the perpetrators of the shooting were unknown individuals who were not in TNI uniform.