In the dense highlands of Central Papua, amid mist-covered ridges and narrow forest paths, Indonesia’s military scored a significant tactical victory. On July 31, 2025, joint security forces from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) successfully neutralized three armed members of the Free Papua Organization (Organisasi Papua Merdeka, or OPM), who had long been linked to deadly attacks on civilians and military personnel across Papua’s central highlands.
The operation, conducted in Tigilobak Village, Puncak Regency, marks a critical breakthrough in the state’s ongoing counterinsurgency efforts. According to official reports from the TNI and corroborated by multiple news agencies, one of the individuals killed had been a fugitive since 2018 and was allegedly involved in several high-profile assaults, including the theft of a soldier’s firearm in a deadly ambush.
The incident underscores both the persistent volatility of the Papuan conflict and the Indonesian government’s unwavering resolve to protect peace and public safety in the region.
The Operation: Intelligence-Driven and Swift
The coordinated operation unfolded in the early hours of Thursday morning, as TNI troops moved in on a known OPM stronghold in Tigilobak Village, a rugged area known for being a staging ground for separatist activity.
Major General Rudi Puruwito, Commander of the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Regional Command, confirmed that the troops had been tracking the group’s movements for weeks based on intelligence gathered from local informants and drone surveillance. The elite team encountered armed resistance upon approaching the militants’ hideout.
“A firefight broke out,” Puruwito stated, “but our troops responded decisively. Three armed separatists were neutralized, including one figure who has been on our most-wanted list since 2018.”
Following the clash, soldiers secured the area and recovered several weapons, including a Pindad SS1-V1 assault rifle—the same weapon reportedly stolen from a TNI soldier killed in an ambush in Gome District, Puncak, in 2019.
The recovered firearm not only confirms the group’s involvement in earlier attacks but also provides crucial evidence linking the suspects to broader insurgent networks in Central Papua.
A History of Violence: The Men Behind the Guns
Authorities have not publicly named the three men, but defense officials say they were confirmed operatives of the TPNPB-OPM (West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization), a group declared a terrorist organization by the Indonesian government in 2021. One of the militants was reportedly a regional commander responsible for coordinating attacks on both civilian and military targets.
Among their suspected crimes:
- The 2019 ambush that killed a TNI soldier and resulted in the theft of a standard-issue rifle.
- Coordinating multiple road blockades and extortion checkpoints in the Ilaga and Gome districts.
- Involvement in the arson of public facilities and intimidation of local Papuan civilians perceived as pro-government.
“These individuals were not just political actors,” said defense analyst Wahyu Setiawan, speaking to Indonesia Defense. “They were actively involved in armed rebellion and terror against their own communities.”
Local Reactions: A Complex Relief
The military success drew mixed reactions from local residents. In the town of Ilaga, some expressed relief that security forces were reasserting control over previously tense regions.
“For months, we’ve lived in fear,” said Yohana Mote, a local teacher. “There were nights when gunshots echoed through the hills. We just want our children to go to school in peace.”
Community leaders in neighboring villages confirmed that OPM activity had disrupted education, health services, and logistics. “Even truck drivers refused to pass through this area without military escort,” noted Pastor Elias Tabuni, who has worked in Puncak for over a decade.
Yet, others called for the government to match its security operations with greater investment in dialogue and development.
“Security is important, but peace must come with dignity,” said Samuel Enumbi, a human rights observer from Nabire. “We don’t want endless cycles of conflict. The root issues—inequality, marginalization, and access to education—must also be addressed.”
A Strategic Blow to OPM’s Operational Capability
The neutralization of these three armed separatists is seen by military officials as a major disruption to the OPM’s logistics and command structure in Central Papua. The fact that one of the deceased had been operating as a commander and recruiter suggests that the group’s ability to mount coordinated attacks may be temporarily hindered.
The operation followed a series of previous arrests and surrenders by former OPM members earlier this year, indicating that state pressure is beginning to yield results. At least seven former insurgents surrendered voluntarily in the first half of 2025, citing exhaustion and disillusionment with the separatist cause.
Analysts point to a weakening of the group’s morale and support base, particularly as younger Papuans increasingly prioritize education, economic opportunity, and community stability over armed resistance.
The Broader Context: Conflict and the Pursuit of Peace
The conflict in Papua is one of Southeast Asia’s longest-running internal struggles. While much of the region is peaceful, sporadic violence continues to plague parts of the central highlands and border regions—areas where rugged terrain, historical grievances, and low state presence have enabled the persistence of armed separatism.
The Indonesian government has adopted a two-pronged approach: a firm military response to armed rebellion, paired with social programs and development initiatives under the Special Autonomy (Otsus) framework. Since 2021, increased autonomy funds have been channeled into education, health, and infrastructure projects—though critics argue that results have been uneven and too centralized.
President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the need to “build trust, not just roads,” acknowledging the importance of cultural sensitivity in state policy.
Security Forces’ Message: Protection, Not Provocation
TNI officials were quick to clarify that the recent operation was not intended to escalate conflict but to protect civilians and enforce national sovereignty.
“Our mission is to restore peace and order, not to create fear,” said Colonel Candra Kurniawan, spokesperson for the Cenderawasih Command. “We encourage all Papuans, especially those misled by separatist propaganda, to return to the fold and help build a better Papua.”
Authorities have urged remaining insurgents in the region to surrender voluntarily. The programs are in place to reintegrate ex-combatants, offering vocational training, livelihood assistance, and psychosocial support.
Looking Forward: Can Peace Be Sustained?
As the dust settles in Tigilobak Village, questions loom over what comes next. Will the tactical success translate into longer-term stability? Can security operations coexist with trust-building and development?
Experts warn that while operations like this may deter violence in the short term, a lasting solution will require inclusive governance, justice, and sustained engagement with Papuan communities.
“Peace in Papua won’t come from the barrel of a gun alone,” said Dr. Lanny Wonda, a lecturer on conflict resolution at the University of Cenderawasih. “It must be earned through participation, respect, and genuine partnership.”
Conclusion
The killing of three OPM members by Indonesian security forces in Central Papua stands as a tactical success in a challenging security landscape. It highlights the government’s capacity to act decisively against armed threats while reigniting broader conversations about justice, identity, and peace in Papua.
As communities in Puncak cautiously return to normal life and children walk back to school under the watchful eye of soldiers, the future remains unwritten. What happens next—whether toward reconciliation or renewed resistance—will depend not just on military action, but on how deeply the nation listens to Papua’s voice.