3 indigenous Papuans killed, 4 wounded during security force operation in the Regency of Puncak

Human rights defenders have reported further extra-judicial killing in relation to an ongoing security force operation against the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN PB) in the highland regency of Puncak, Papua Province. According to information received, the incident occurred on 17 September 2019 in the Olenki Village of the Mabugi District and resulted in three fatalities, among them a one-year-old baby and a ten-year-old boy (see intro image). Four indigenous women were injured during the shooting (see table below). The three women and a sixteen-year old girl were flown to Timika were they received medical treatment at the General Hospital.

Around 3.00 pm, villagers ate together after they had collectively worked in their gardens. The villagers just finished eating, as members of the military and the police mobile brigade (Brimob) allegedly opened fire at the villagers from distance of about 50 meters. An eyewitness claimed that the security forces targeted a TPN PB member who walked out of a house with his weapon, injuring Yefrina Mom (see image on the right). Herina Kinal, Topina Mom and Bu Tabuni were reportedly injured as security forces used grenades against the TPN PB members. Human rights defenders reported that the villagers are unable to flee to the town of Ilaga because of an unsettled tribal conflict with the neighboring village of Mayuberi.

XVII/Cenderawasih military commander, Eko Daryanto, confirmed the incident in a public interview with the news outlet KOMPAS but did not make any statement whether the fatalities and injuries were caused by security force members. Human rights defenders reported that six trucks loaded with fully armed security personnel were brought to Mabugi District as reinforcement.

Table with fatalities and injured victims during the Shooting in Olenki Village

Background
The incident is related a widespread security force operation, which was initially launched on 24 August 2019 in the district of Gome, Puncak Regency. Joint security forces have raided multiple villages in the Gome District, forcing indigenous villagers to flee their homes. Initial reports from 26 August 2019 estimated that approximately 800 indigenous Papuans had been internally displaced and sought refuge in temporary shelters in Yenggernok Village. According to information dated 5 September 2019, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Yenggernok have risen to more than 1.500 persons, originating from eleven villages. The security force members allegedly seized gardening tools and killed pig livestock.