Papua rebels blame soldiers for murder of 11 gold miners

The Indonesian government has strongly condemned the massacre of at least 11 gold miners in the remote highlands of Papua.

Members of the separatist movement Free Papua Movement (OPM) speak to reporters. Picture: AFP

You can now listen to The Australian's articles. Give us your feedback.

You can now listen to The Australian's articles.

The Indonesian government has strongly condemned the massacre of at least 11 gold miners in the remote highlands of Papua, after armed separatist groups claimed the victims were soldiers in disguise.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan said the attacks, which occurred between April 5–8 in Yahukimo Regency, revealed the perpetrators’ “utter lack of humanity.”

“The government strongly condemns the violence that occurred in Yahukimo, Papua, from April 5 to 8, 2025, which led to the deaths of 11 individuals by armed groups in the region,” Budi said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Thursday.

He described the killings as brutal and indiscriminate, noting that the violence has instilled fear among residents and disrupted daily life.

Budi added that the government was prioritising the evacuation of victims and the repatriation of their bodies to their families. However, the process has been hampered by difficult terrain and poor weather conditions in the area.

According to reports from the Peace Cartenz joint police-military task force, the victims were civilian miners who suffered slash wounds, gunshot injuries, and arrow strikes.

Initial information emerged on the night of April 7, corroborated by testimony from a survivor who has since sought refuge in Mabul Village, Korowai District, Asmat Regency.

Authorities said 35 miners managed to escape and are now under state protection. Eight others remain missing, and two civilians are believed to have been taken hostage.

Sebby Sambom, a spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM), insisted the group had repeatedly warned “Indonesian immigrants” to stay away from conflict zones. He claimed that five additional individuals were killed on Wednesday, describing them as military personnel disguised as miners.

“If the Indonesian government military wants to pursue us, they are welcome to come to Dekai City. We are there and currently conducting operations,” Mr Sambom said.

Indonesian military spokesperson Brigadier General Kristomei Sianturi denied the claims, stating that no military personnel were killed in the incident.

“The propaganda spread by the Free Papua Organisation (OPM) and its sympathisers, that the victims were TNI soldiers, is a form of information manipulation aimed at justifying their brutal actions. OPM has clearly committed crimes against innocent civilians,” he said.

The Ministry of Defence also criticised the rebels’ narrative, warning that equating civilians such as teachers, healthcare workers, and construction labourers with intelligence agents or military personnel was extremely dangerous.

“Their claim of killing ‘intelligence agents’ is essentially an admission to committing extrajudicial violence, which could constitute a crime against humanity,” the ministry said.