In the highlands of Intan Jaya, where steep valleys cut through thick forests and villages cling to mountain ridges, stories of conflict have long been more common than stories of peace. For years, there have been armed conflicts, uncertainty, and distrust between security forces and armed separatist groups in the area. But in February 2026, a different story started to come out. It wasn’t a story about gunfire; it was a story about talking. Not of fighting, but of coming back.
Seventeen people from Kodap 8 Intan Jaya who were connected to TPNPB OPM publicly promised to return to the Republic of Indonesia. There were two active members and fifteen people who supported them. Reports from February 19, 2026, say that they made their choice after the Indonesian military unit Satgas Yonif 631 Antang had been doing humanitarian work for a long time.
For communities that have been under stress for years, the moment was significant. It showed that trust can be rebuilt and that sometimes persuasion works better than force.
A Shift in Approach
It didn’t happen overnight that these seventeen people came back. Reports from the field say that Satgas Yonif 631 Antang led by Lt.Col. Andy Darnianto took a human-centered approach when working with communities in Intan Jaya. The unit didn’t just focus on security operations; it also stressed communication, respect, and helping local people.
Soldiers who were sent to the area spent time with village elders, going to homes, and taking part in everyday life. They gave basic health care, brought food when it was needed, and talked about their common goals for stability and prosperity.
A leader in the community said that these kinds of interactions slowly made people less suspicious. He said that people start to rethink their choices when they feel like they are being heard and respected. For some people who had previously supported armed groups, the constant presence of soldiers who were patient and understanding gave them time to think.
The Moment of Return
The seventeen people stood together on February 17, 2026, and pledged their loyalty to the Republic of Indonesia. The ceremony was simple but important. The red and white flag went up, and everyone there said they wanted to stop fighting.
The choice meant a lot to the two former active members of TPNPB OPM. Living in the mountains meant always being on the move, not knowing what would happen next, and being away from family. People who spoke at the event said they wanted to be with their family again and live a peaceful life.
The fifteen sympathizers, most of whom had supported the group in some way, also said they were tired of the constant instability. Some had helped with logistics or shared the same ideas in the past. Their public promise made it clear that they were no longer connected to those groups.
One person said that his choice was a return to normal. He said he wanted to raise his kids without fear and help the community grow instead of fighting.
Humanitarian Outreach in Practice
Satgas Yonif 631 Antang played a big part in this result. The unit, which is part of Indonesia’s larger security mission in Papua, has been putting more and more emphasis on what officials call a “humanitarian approach.”
As part of this strategy, soldiers will visit the community on a regular basis, learn about the culture, and try to understand the problems that people in the area are having. Instead of seeing every resident as a possible enemy, the approach puts building relationships first.
Outreach programs for health care have had a big effect. In remote villages in the highlands where getting medical care is hard, soldiers have helped treat minor illnesses and make it easier for people to get to clinics. These small actions show that the people who live there really care about their health.
A village elder said that seeing soldiers help sick kids changed how people thought. He said it reminded people that the government is not just an idea, but a real thing that can help.
Breaking the Cycle of Violence
For years, fighting in some parts of Papua has caused people to not trust each other. Groups with weapons recruit people from communities that feel left out. If people think that security responses are too harsh, they can make people angrier. To stop this cycle, we need more than just patrols and checkpoints.
The return of the seventeen people from Kodap 8 Intan Jaya shows that talking things over can be very important. By dealing with underlying issues and giving people ways to get back into civilian life, the humanitarian strategy opens up opportunities that might not have been available otherwise.
People in charge of the process stressed that the promises were not required. They said that the ceremony was not forced, but rather a way to affirm their choice. The people who took part were told that they would be helped to get back into society.
Reintegration is not an easy thing to do. It includes mental adjustment, economic opportunity, and social acceptance. Leaders in the community have promised to help these people get their lives back on track.
Community Response
People in Intan Jaya have reacted with cautious hope. Families of those who came back were happy. One mother said she had prayed for years that her son would leave the mountains and come home safely.
Local church leaders and traditional elders also liked the news. They said it was a step toward peace and asked other armed groups to think about doing the same thing.
People also know that lasting peace takes a lot of work. Isolated returns are a good sign, but for stability to last, we need to keep working on and engaging in development projects.
The Broader Context in Papua
Papua’s complicated history has been shaped by geography, culture, and politics. In places like Intan Jaya, where there isn’t much infrastructure or economic opportunity, complaints have gotten worse. It is still important to deal with these structural problems.
The Indonesian government has worked on development programs to make roads, schools, and hospitals better in remote areas. Military units like Satgas Yonif 631 Antang often work alongside civilian agencies, which makes it possible for them to work together on outreach.
Security analysts say that armed movements are less appealing when people see real benefits from the government being there. Jobs, education, and healthcare are strong ways to fight instability.
The humanitarian approach used in Intan Jaya fits into this larger picture. It recognizes the connection between security and development.
Personal Stories of Change
One former supporter spoke softly about his journey during the pledge ceremony. He said that at one point he thought fighting was the only way to show anger. Over time, he lost faith in the difficulties and the lack of clear progress.
He said that talking to soldiers slowly changed the way he thought. He started to see options other than fighting. His desire to give his family stability led him to go back.
Another participant said that when they talked to Satgas members, they felt welcome instead of judged. He said that being respected made it easier for him to change his mind.
These personal stories show how reconciliation affects people on a personal level. People are making hard decisions behind the headlines and numbers.
Commitment to Ongoing Engagement
Military leaders have said that the job doesn’t end with a promise. Follow-up engagement, monitoring, and community support are very important for making sure that reintegration lasts.
There are talks about programs to help former members get jobs or vocational training. To help people in villages accept the changes, religious and traditional leaders are being asked for their advice.
Satgas Yonif 631 Antang has also promised to keep talking to people in all of Intan Jaya. Officers stress how important it is to be patient and consistent.
A Symbol of Possibility
The return of seventeen people may not seem like a big deal in the grand scheme of things. But even small steps can have a lot of meaning when it comes to resolving conflicts.
For people who live in Intan Jaya, seeing former armed groups standing in front of the national flag showed that things can change. It told a different story than years of stress.
People in the community hope that this event will encourage others to talk things out instead of fighting. They also want the government to keep helping them deal with social and economic problems.
Conclusion
The pledge of loyalty by seventeen former TPNPB OPM affiliates from Kodap 8 Intan Jaya is a big step forward in Papua’s changing security situation. Satgas Yonif 631 Antang has shown that trust can be rebuilt by taking a humanitarian approach that focuses on conversation and getting people involved in their communities.
The road to lasting peace in Papua is still very hard. But moments like this show people that peace is possible when safety and understanding work together.
Their stories may encourage other people to avoid conflict as they return to civilian life. In the highlands of Intan Jaya, where people used to not trust each other, a new chapter of cautious hope has begun.