A significant breakthrough came early this August when combined Indonesian security forces successfully apprehended Nowaiten Telenggen, also known as German Ubruangge, a suspected key operative of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), armed wing of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) in Nduga. His arrest marks a milestone in ongoing efforts to dismantle the armed separatist network that has long terrorized remote communities and hindered regional peace.
A Sudden Apprehension at a Medical Facility
On Thursday, August 7, 2025, at approximately 09:04 WIT, Satgas Damai Cartenz—a joint task force comprising military and police units—arrested the 30-year-old Telenggen at a local puskesmas (community health center). Local residents had reported his presence there, noting he appeared intoxicated—a vulnerability that allowed officers to detain him without resistance. He was swiftly transferred to the Nduga Police Headquarters for interrogation.
Admission of Involvement in Shocking Acts of Violence
During his initial interrogation, Nowaiten Telenggen made several damning admissions that shocked not only investigators but also the broader Indonesian public. He confessed to direct involvement in three major violent incidents that have marked some of the most disturbing chapters of separatist violence in Papua in recent years. The first was a shooting attack on April 21, 2022, targeting a white armored vehicle on the Trans Batu Road in Yasoma Village—an assault that demonstrated the group’s intent to strike even protected government and civilian convoys. Then, on June 7, 2022, Telenggen participated in a coordinated attack on a SAM Air PK‑SMG aircraft at Kenyam Airport, a brazen act that disrupted air operations and endangered civilian air travel. Most harrowing, however, was his role in the massacre on July 16, 2022, in Nogolait Village, where a group of pastors, a religious teacher (ustaz), and civilians were killed in a ruthless attack that drew national condemnation.
Beyond his role as a gunman, Telenggen admitted to serving as a logistics supplier, responsible for delivering food supplies—or “bama”—to fighters under Egianus Kogoya, leader of the TPNPB’s Ndugama faction. He also operated as a documentarian, recording armed group activities on video—footage often used for propaganda or to intimidate local populations. His dual function, as both an active militant and behind-the-scenes enabler, highlights how deeply embedded he was in sustaining the separatist network.
Undermining TPNPB’s Ndugama Operational Core
According to Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani, head of the Cartenz Peace Operations, Telenggen’s arrest represents a significant strategic victory in the broader campaign to dismantle separatist violence in Papua. The operation not only neutralized an active perpetrator but also dealt a critical blow to the TPNPB’s operational base in Nduga. As one of the known associates of Egianus Kogoya, Telenggen’s capture weakens a faction that has long operated with impunity in the Papua highlands—coordinating armed raids, targeting infrastructure, and displacing civilians.
The takedown of a figure like Telenggen is more than symbolic. It strikes at the logistical and tactical core of the Armed Criminal Group (Kelompok Kriminal Bersenjata or KKB) network and sends a clear signal: continued acts of terror will be met with coordinated law enforcement and military response. This operation serves as a demonstration of both state authority and accountability, as Indonesian security forces double down on efforts to bring stability to the highlands region.
The Enduring Threat of Egianus Kogoya’s Leadership
The broader context of Telenggen’s involvement cannot be separated from the shadow cast by his commander, Egianus Kogoya—one of the most feared and wanted separatist leaders in Indonesia. As the head of the TPNPB’s Ndugama division, Kogoya has become synonymous with the insurgency in Central Papua. His long list of alleged atrocities includes the 2018 Nduga massacre, the hostage-taking of a New Zealand pilot, and repeated attacks on educators, health workers, and public infrastructure—all designed to destabilize the region and undermine state presence.
Although Telenggen’s arrest is a setback for Kogoya’s faction, the fight is far from over. The region remains a high-conflict zone, with sporadic confrontations and ambushes continuing to threaten civilians and law enforcement. However, 2025 has seen a string of decisive actions by the Cartenz Task Force, including the mid-year killing of Pionus Gwijangge, another high-ranking militant believed to be Kogoya’s trusted associate. Gwijangge’s death during a gunfight in Jayawijaya, along with the seizure of weapons and ammunition, has disrupted the group’s supply and command structure. It also suggests that the state is increasingly effective in tracking and targeting key insurgents, even in the remote and rugged terrain of Papua’s central highlands.
Impacts on Community Security and Stability
Telenggen’s arrest is more than a tactical success—it carries profound implications for public safety, regional governance, and the state’s authority in Central Papua. The attacks he confessed to had inflicted deep psychological and social damage on local communities, eroding trust in state protection.
With this apprehension, residents may feel safer traveling, trading, and worshiping without the constant threat of violence. Meanwhile, regional officials are reassessing morale and trust-building strategies across security and community networks.
Security forces hope the arrest will deter further insurgent activity, encourage other public informants to come forward, and diminish KKB’s influence in interior Papua.
The Road Ahead: Deepening Investigations and Reconstruction
The arrest of Nowaiten Telenggen is far from the final chapter in Papua’s ongoing battle against armed separatist groups. In many ways, it marks the beginning of a more focused and strategic phase of counterinsurgency. Authorities are now preparing for a series of follow-up actions aimed at uncovering the full extent of Telenggen’s network and dismantling any remaining operational cells linked to the TPNPB-OPM. One of the key priorities is the forensic examination of digital evidence, including documents and communications retrieved from Telenggen’s seized cellphone. Investigators believe this data could reveal crucial information about planned operations, logistics routes, and connections to other militant figures.
In tandem with the forensic work, security forces will pursue investigations into possible local collaborators who may have provided logistical support, shelter, or transportation for Telenggen and his associates. These support systems, often hidden in plain sight, play a critical role in sustaining armed groups in the rugged, hard-to-reach terrains of Papua. Authorities are also acting on tips from local informants and community members, whose information could lead to the identification and neutralization of additional active cells operating across Central Papua and surrounding highlands.
Beyond intelligence and law enforcement, a significant part of the effort now focuses on restoring community confidence and rebuilding trust. For many civilians, years of violence and intimidation have left deep scars. Officials are emphasizing the importance of unity, transparency, and community engagement in the healing process. Brigadier General Faizal Ramadhani and police spokesperson Kombes Yusuf Sutejo have both called for public cooperation and calm, stressing that accurate information and active civic participation are essential for a stable and effective security response. Misinformation, they warned, only fuels fear and chaos—while open communication helps restore peace and social resilience.
Conclusion
The arrest of Nowaiten Telenggen, alias German Ubruangge, in Nduga marks a pivotal moment in Papua’s security landscape. By admitting to orchestrating deadly attacks and functioning as both supplier and propagandist for his faction, Telenggen has offered a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Egianus Kogoya’s operations. This success not only weakens KKB’s operational structure but also contains symbolic weight—restoring hope that even remote regions can benefit from the rule of law.
Moving forward, Indonesia’s commitment to safeguarding civilians and eradicating armed insurgency continues to be tested. Still, this milestone offers a powerful reminder: the road to peace requires vigilance, community solidarity, and determined enforcement.