Maj. Gen. Lucky Avianto, commander of the Joint Task Force Habema, said the rebels died during a clash in Soanggama village, Hitadipa subdistrict.
The village served as a base for the West Papua National Liberation Army unit Kodap VIII/Soanggama, led by Undius Kogoya.
“The group used Soanggama as a base to plan repeated attacks against civilians and security personnel,” Avianto said.
Authorities recovered a homemade firearm, four air rifles, ammunition, and other evidence at the site.
Among the dead were Agus Kogoya, Kodap VIII’s operations chief, and gunmen Ipe Kogoya and Zakaria Kogoya. Two bodies remain unidentified.
Military intelligence linked the separatists to violent incidents this year, including attacks in Soanggama on March 28; Zonogo on April 14; Titigi on April 30 and May 1; Sugapa on May 27; Mamba Bawah on August 8; and Gamagai Ugimba on October 12.
They were also tied to fatal shootings of civilians Michael Wattimena on March 18; Joni Hendra on July 25; and Anselmus Arfin, a company employee, on October 8.
Papuan separatists have intensified attacks across Indonesia’s easternmost provinces in recent years, targeting civilians, workers, and security forces in a campaign of violence aimed at spreading fear and undermining state authority.
Armed groups linked to the Free Papua Movement (OPM) have frequently used hit-and-run tactics against Indonesian troops and staged assaults on civilians in districts such as Intan Jaya, Nduga, Yahukimo, and Puncak.
Targets have included construction workers, motorcycle taxi (ojek) drivers, teachers, students, food vendors, and civilian aircraft crews.
Notable incidents include December 2, 2018: Rebels killed 31 workers from PT Istaka Karya building the Trans Papua highway in Kali Yigi and Kali Aurak, Yigi Subdistrict, Nduga District.
March 2, 2022: Eight technicians from Palaparing Timur Telematika (PTT) were shot dead in Beoga Subdistrict, Puncak District, while repairing a Telkomsel telecom tower.
February 7, 2023: New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens was taken hostage by an armed group led by Egianus Kogoya after landing a Susi Air flight in Nduga District. His aircraft was then set on fire.
October 16, 2023: Separatists attacked gold miners in Yahukimo District, Highland Papua Province, killing seven.
November 25, 2023: Four Indonesian soldiers died in a gunfight with rebels in Paro Subdistrict, Nduga District.
January 19, 2024: Security forces clashed with an armed group in Intan Jaya District, Central Papua. Brimob paramilitary police officer Alfando Steve Karamoy was injured by gunfire.
April 10, 2024: Second Lieutenant Oktovianus Sogalrey, commander of the 1703-04 Aradide Subdistrict Military Command, was shot and killed in Paniai District, Central Papua.
April 2025: Sixteen illegal gold miners were shot dead by an armed group in Yahukimo District, Highland Papua.
October 6, 2025: TPNPB commander Mayu Waliya was killed in a clash with Joint Task Force Habema in Lanny Jaya District.
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Translator: Evarukdijati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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