TPNPB-OPM Admits to Shooting That Killed Driver in Jayawijaya - Tempo.co English

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) has claimed responsibility for the shooting death of logistics driver Aris Sanda in Papua's Jayawijaya regency.

The armed group said the shooting was carried out by members of its Kodap III Ndugama Darakma command.

TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom accused Sanda of being an Indonesian military intelligence agent working undercover as a driver.

“We take responsibility for the shooting of an Indonesian government military intelligence agent who worked as a driver on the Trans Wamena-Nduga route on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at around 9:25 a.m.,” Sebby said in a written statement cited on Thursday, September 17.

The group also issued a warning to migrant residents and other workers, including drivers, motorcycle taxi drivers, and civil servants, operating in conflict-affected areas. It specifically mentioned the routes connecting Wamena, Habema, Nduga, and Mumugu.

The group urged migrant drivers to stop using the routes and warned that it would shoot people traveling through the area.

“We urge all Indonesian migrant drivers not to use the Trans route in Wamena in the future,” Sebby said.

Head of Information for the Indonesian Military's Habema Operations Command, Lt. Col. M. Wirya Arthadiguna, previously said the attack on Sanda occurred on Tuesday, September 15. The shooting was believed to have taken place near the Habema Lake junction in Gunung Boy, Trikora district, Jayawijaya.

According to Wirya, the armed group stopped and checked the driver and passengers. After the inspection, the passengers were ordered to return to Wamena, while Sanda was taken toward the Habema Lake area.

Following reports of the incident, personnel from the TNI Habema Operations Command searched the area around the site. They found Sanda's vehicle burned and his body inside.

“The team found a vehicle in a burned condition along with the driver's body,” Wirya said in a written statement on Wednesday, September 16.

Wirya said Sanda was a civilian from Toraja who worked providing transportation and logistical support to local communities in the remote area.

“People who work to support the lives of local communities should be able to carry out their duties safely and not become victims of violence,” he said.

The military was continuing to search the area and pursue members of the TPNPB-OPM allegedly involved in the attack as part of law enforcement efforts.