In the early hours of September 21, 2025, the people of Kampung Ulakin in the Kolf Braza District, Asmat Regency, were awakened not by the morning sun, but by the sound of gunfire, screams, and flames devouring wooden homes. The tranquil Papuan village—like many others across the island—was once again transformed into a stage of grief and terror as violence from the armed separatist group West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM), also known as Armed Criminal Group (Kelompok Kriminal Bersenjata, KKB), reached their doorsteps.
A civilian named Indra Guru Wardana was brutally executed by KKB operatives. After gunning him down, the attackers burned his house to the ground, leaving nothing but scorched wood, ash, and devastation behind. This was not a random act of violence—it was a deliberate and cowardly attack against an unarmed, innocent man, carried out by an armed group that continues to justify its terror under the banner of so-called “liberation.”
A Pattern of Terror
Unfortunately, what happened in Ulakin was not an isolated incident. Over the past several years, and especially throughout 2025, TPNPB-OPM has escalated its campaign of terror across Papua—targeting civilians, burning schools, executing teachers and health workers, destroying public infrastructure, and spreading fear in remote villages far from media attention.
In their own public claims, the TPNPB-OPM admitted to the attack in Ulakin and alleged that the victim was an intelligence agent—an excuse that has become their go-to justification for attacking anyone who disagrees with them or simply works for the government. But according to official reports from Brigjen Pol. Faizal Rahmadani, the Commander of Operasi Damai Cartenz, Indra was a civilian, and his home was not a military post. These lies expose the hypocrisy of the group: claiming to fight for “freedom” while targeting the very people they claim to represent.
A Reign of Fear in Asmat and Beyond
The violence in Ulakin is part of a broader campaign led by Elkius Kobak, a KKB commander who has claimed responsibility for attacks in multiple regions. Intelligence and local witness testimonies indicate that his group originally comes from Yahukimo but has been operating in Asmat, Korowai, and surrounding areas.
In the days following the Ulakin murder, the TPNPB-OPM released chilling statements claiming they had shot seven “intelligence agents” across Asmat and Korowai. The truth? Most of those “targets” were schoolteachers, health workers, and local civilians. Their only “crime” was working for Indonesian public services—education, health, and development projects that aim to improve life in some of Papua’s most isolated and underserved areas.
From Jayawijaya to Nduga, from Yahukimo to Asmat, the same tactic repeats: ambushes on construction workers, attacks on mining sites, murders of healthcare personnel, and arson targeting public buildings. Even gold miners, many of whom are local indigenous Papuans themselves, have been killed en masse by KKB gunmen. In April 2025 alone, 11 civilians were slaughtered in Yahukimo in a single coordinated massacre.
Targeting Civilians: A War Against the People
What is most disturbing about this violence is not only its cruelty but also its clear anti-civilian intent. These are not attacks against military targets in an armed conflict. These are crimes against humanity, plain and simple.
TPNPB-OPM’s actions violate the most basic principles of human rights and international humanitarian law. They kill without trial. They burn homes without remorse. They silence dissent through murder. Their strategy is one of intimidation, not liberation.
The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) have repeatedly confirmed that they only engage in combat operations when under direct threat or when pursuing verified combatants. Operation Damai Cartenz, the joint task force operating in Papua, emphasizes protecting civilians first, not conducting full-scale warfare. But these limitations are abused by the KKB, who exploit civilian spaces and then accuse the government of militarizing the region.
Government Response: Balancing Security and Humanity
Responding to the escalating violence in regions like Ulakin, the Indonesian government finds itself confronting not only armed insurgents but also the rugged realities of Papua’s geography. Villages are nestled deep within remote forests, connected by broken roads and minimal telecommunications.
In places like Ulakin, it can take days for law enforcement to reach crime scenes, hampering both rescue and investigation efforts. Yet, despite these logistical obstacles, the government has remained steadfast in its commitment to protect civilians and restore peace. In the aftermath of the Ulakin killing, security forces immediately mobilized a manhunt to track down the perpetrators, while humanitarian assistance was swiftly dispatched to support grieving families and displaced residents.
These responses are part of a broader, multi-faceted strategy. On one front, tactical operations target violent separatist groups like the one led by Elkius Kobak, aiming to dismantle the threat without disturbing peaceful communities. Simultaneously, long-term development projects are being rolled out—building roads, expanding digital access, and improving public services in education, health, and clean water supply. Importantly, the government also engages with indigenous leaders in peaceful dialogue, recognizing that genuine reconciliation must involve local voices.
This comprehensive approach reflects Indonesia’s unwavering belief that Papua is an integral part of the republic and that its people deserve the same peace, dignity, and opportunity afforded to citizens in any other province—from Jakarta to Makassar to Surabaya.
The Real Victims: Papuan People
TPNPB-OPM attempts to present itself as a “freedom movement,” but the reality on the ground tells a different story. Their bullets don’t just kill “security forces.” They kill Papuan children, Papuan teachers, Papuan health workers, and Papuan elders. Their fires don’t destroy enemy bases—they destroy family homes, schools, and clinics. Their actions have caused the displacement of thousands, especially in regions like Nduga, Intan Jaya, and Yahukimo.
It is the ordinary Papuan people who suffer the most—caught between the lies of separatists and the complexities of state response. They are silenced, intimidated, and held hostage in their own land. Many villagers now flee in fear every time a motorbike approaches or gunfire echoes in the hills. Even teachers and nurses in Asmat have abandoned villages, fearing they will be the next target.
This is not liberation—it is terrorism masquerading as nationalism.
Time to Stand United
The people of Papua deserve more than propaganda, bullets, and arson. They deserve roads, books, jobs, and peace. And that will never be delivered by an armed separatist movement that chooses violence over democracy, murder over debate, and fire over education.
The Indonesian government’s commitment to dialogue, development, and peacekeeping remains firm. But that commitment must be shared by all elements of society, including international observers, local church leaders, tribal elders, and especially Papuans themselves who reject violence in all forms.
We must draw a clear line: There is no justification for the killing of civilians. None.
Conclusion
What happened in Ulakin is a tragic snapshot of the broader war being waged against innocent civilians in Papua by the TPNPB-OPM/KKB. Indra Guru Wardana’s death is not just a statistic—it is a warning. A warning that unless this violence is condemned and stopped, more lives will be lost, and more families will be shattered.
The world must stop romanticizing or tolerating these armed groups. They are not freedom fighters—they are armed criminals targeting the very people they claim to protect.
As Indonesia continues its path toward inclusive development in Papua, it must do so while defending its citizens, upholding justice, and eliminating threats from those who spread terror in the name of independence. This is not just a fight for sovereignty—it is a fight for peace, for life, and for the future of Papua.