The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has claimed responsibility for the execution of 11 illegal gold miners in Yahukimo, Papua, while alleging the casualties as soldiers disguising themselves as gold miners in a mission to infiltrate their operational areas.
In a statement released on Tuesday night, April 8, 2025, TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom confirmed the killings, stating that the operation took place over three days, from April 6 to April 8, 2025.
"The execution was carried out by TPNPB’s 16th Defense Region Yahukimo, with the support of troops from 3rd Defense Region Ndugama Derakma," Sambom said.
According to the report, the executions were led by Yamue Battalion Commander Major Homy Heluka and WoSeM Battalion Commander Giban, along with operational commanders Dejen Heluka and Karis Giban. Besides the 11 fatalities, three other Indonesian Military (TNI) members were reportedly injured.
"We ask the [Indonesian] government to stop sending troops disguised as gold panners, builders, or meatball sellers to Papua. We will kill them," Sambom said.
The claim follows recent escalations of violence between Indonesian security forces and TPNPB, the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), which seeks independence from Indonesia. The TNI headquarters has yet to respond to the group's statement, nor confirm the claims made by the TPNPB regarding the execution of the 11 soldiers.
Spokesman of the Cendrawasih Regional Military Command, which oversees provinces in Indonesia’s part of Papua, Colonel Candra Kurniawan said that they have not received any information regarding such an incident.
“We have no information as yet on when and where this incident happened?” Kurniawan said on Tuesday evening.
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