In a major breakthrough for Indonesia’s counter-insurgency efforts in Papua, security forces successfully apprehended Wanggol Sobolim (22 yo), a senior figure within the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), who was responsible for a string of deadly attacks on civilians and military personnel. His arrest signals a decisive shift in the government’s approach to tackling armed separatist violence in the region.
Sobolim, a notorious member of the TPNPB’s “Sisibia Battalion,” was captured on July 23, 2025, during a joint operation conducted by the Cartenz Peace Task Force and local law enforcement in Dekai District, Yahukimo Regency. According to official sources, Sobolim had been on Indonesia’s most-wanted list for years due to his role in a series of human rights violations, including the brutal killings of two civilians and an ambush that left a soldier dead.
A History of Violence
Wanggol Sobolim’s name became synonymous with terror in Yahukimo Regency and surrounding areas. As a field commander of the Sisibia Battalion, a cell within the armed wing of the OPM, Sobolim was directly involved in multiple acts of violence aimed at destabilizing state authority and spreading fear among the local population. According to the Indonesian National Police, Sobolim joined TPNPB-OPM in 2022 and was involved in several acts of violence against security forces and civilians, underscoring the group’s brutal tactics. On March 1, 2023, Sobolim and his unit ambushed members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), resulting in the death of a soldier from Kodim 1715/Yahukimo, first soldier Lukas Warobai. The ambush, which took place in a remote section of Yahukimo, was part of the TPNPB’s ongoing campaign to drive Indonesian forces out of Papua.Lastly, Sobolim and his unit killed two civilians, La Jahari on January 30, 2025, and Agustinus Lambi on May 2, 2025, in Dekai, Yahukimo.“He is not just a criminal. He is a terrorist whose actions have endangered the lives of innocent people and violated every standard of human decency,” said Brigadier General of Police Faizal Ramadhani, head of operation of the Cartenz Peace Task Force. “This arrest is a major milestone in our mission to restore peace and justice in Papua.”
Targeting Civilians and Development Workers
Sobolim’s violence extended far beyond armed confrontations with state forces. His group not only frequently targeted security forces but also Papua’s infrastructure and public services (hospitals and schools) and civilians (teachers, health workers, construction crews, and migrants).
According to human rights monitors in Papua, such acts are not isolated incidents but part of a broader strategy by separatist militants to disrupt Indonesia’s development efforts in the region and sow distrust among Papuans toward the central government.
“This arrest brings hope to those of us who have been terrorized by the OPM,” said a teacher in Yahukimo who asked not to be named for security reasons. “We want education, peace, and development—not war.”
The Cartenz Task Force Strategy
The capture of Wanggol Sobolim is the result of months of intelligence gathering, surveillance, and cooperation between various security agencies under the Cartenz Peace Task Force. Formed as a specialized security unit operating in Papua, the Task Force has a dual mandate: to suppress armed separatist groups and to safeguard humanitarian efforts in volatile regions.
Using a combination of drone surveillance, community informants, and tactical raids, the Task Force has been tracking OPM cells that operate in the rugged interior of Papua, where mountainous terrain and dense forest provide natural cover for insurgents.
“We rely heavily on local cooperation,” said Brigadier General of Police Faizal Ramadhani. “Villagers who are tired of the violence are beginning to speak up. They’re giving us the information we need to act decisively.”
Sobolim was reportedly hiding in a village on the outskirts of Dekai when the Task Force closed in. Although initial reports suggested the possibility of armed resistance, Sobolim was taken into custody without significant exchange of fire. Authorities also confiscated weapons, communication devices, and documents related to OPM operations.
Human Rights and Security: A Delicate Balance
While the arrest of Wanggol Sobolim has been celebrated by Indonesian authorities and many Papuan civilians, it also underscores the delicate balance between national security and human rights in Papua. Indonesia has faced international scrutiny over its handling of separatist conflict, with some human rights organizations urging the government to prioritize dialogue over militarized responses.
However, in the case of Sobolim, officials argue that decisive action was necessary due to the scale and severity of his crimes.
“Wanggol Sobolim’s actions were not political expression; they were criminal atrocities,” said Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan. “This is not about silencing dissent—it’s about protecting lives.”
Indeed, many Papuan community leaders have welcomed the arrest, seeing it as a path toward restoring stability and enabling essential services to resume in conflict-affected areas.
“This sends a message that violence will not be tolerated, whether it’s from separatists or any other armed group,” said Rev. Elias Mabel, a church leader in Wamena. “Our people deserve peace, not endless bloodshed.”
International Response and National Implications
Indonesia’s firm stance against armed separatism in Papua continues to draw international attention. While Western nations have occasionally expressed concern over alleged human rights violations by state forces, the Indonesian government has increasingly emphasized the distinction between peaceful political advocacy and violent insurgency.
The capture of Sobolim may help Jakarta build a stronger case on the international stage that it is actively working to address security threats without indiscriminately targeting Papuan civilians. By demonstrating a measured, intelligence-led approach, Indonesia aims to counter narratives that frame the Papua conflict as one of state repression alone.
At home, Sobolim’s arrest could provide political capital for the government’s broader campaign to accelerate development in Papua, including through the Papua Special Autonomy Law and the establishment of new provinces like Papua Pegunungan and Papua Selatan.
“Security is the prerequisite for progress,” said ex Papua Governor Ridwan Rumasukun. “Now that one of the major threats has been neutralized, we can move faster to deliver health care, education, and infrastructure to our people.”
The Road Ahead: Justice and Reconciliation
Wanggol Sobolim is currently being held at the Papua Regional Police Headquarters in Jayapura, where he faces multiple charges, including murder, illegal possession of firearms, and insurgency. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment.
His arrest, however, also opens the door for broader conversations about justice, reconciliation, and long-term peace in Papua. Some civil society leaders argue that capturing militants should be followed by efforts to rehabilitate former combatants and reintegrate them into society.
“It’s not enough to just arrest them. We need a framework that addresses the root causes of the conflict—poverty, marginalization, and historical grievances,” said Dr. Maria Yuliana, a political analyst at Cenderawasih University.
As Papua continues to walk the tightrope between development and conflict, the fall of Wanggol Sobolim marks a significant moment—one that could either escalate or de-escalate tensions depending on how both the state and local communities respond in the aftermath.
Conclusion
The arrest of Wanggol Sobolim, a key leader of the TPNPB-OPM’s Sisibia Battalion, marks a critical step forward in Indonesia’s ongoing effort to restore peace and stability in Papua. His capture not only removes a dangerous militant from the field but also sends a strong message that violence and human rights abuses will not be tolerated. While security operations remain vital, this moment also presents an opportunity for the government to complement its firm actions with long-term strategies for reconciliation, inclusive development, and dialogue. The path to lasting peace in Papua lies not only in eliminating armed threats but also in addressing the deep-rooted causes of discontent—and that journey is far from over.