After Driver Shot in Jayawijaya, Police Sweep 4 Km of Roadblock Sites

Joint TNI-Polri forces evacuated the body of Aris Sanda, a driver who was shot and burned along with his vehicle by an armed group in Jayawijaya Regency, Papua Pegunungan, on Wednesday (16/9/2026). The victim's body was found about four kilometers from the initial roadblock site, according to the police crime scene investigation (TKP).

The shooting occurred on Tuesday (15/9/2026) morning on the Trans Wamena-Nduga road, Trikora District. A joint team consisting of Jayawijaya Police personnel, the Damai Cartenz Task Force, and the TNI Habema Operations Command only found the victim's body in the Lake Habema area on Wednesday at around 13.15 WIT. Jayawijaya Police Chief Senior Commissioner Anak Agung Made Satriya Bimantara said the Strada Triton vehicle was burned out about 13 meters from the road. Inside the cabin, the body was found severely burned with most of the tissue carbonized, making physical features difficult to identify.

From the crime scene investigation, personnel secured one 5.56 mm caliber bullet casing and a bag containing the victim's personal and vehicle documents. The examination was also extended to the location suspected to be the initial roadblock site. Based on information gathered, at the time of the incident Aris and several passengers were traveling from Wamena to Mbuah, Nduga Regency. Midway, they were stopped by an armed group. The passengers were released and directed back to Wamena, while Aris was taken hostage.

"The victim's body was found inside the vehicle cabin, in a position around the driver's seat, severely burned. Most of the tissue was carbonized and physical features were difficult to identify visually," said Satriya.

After the crime scene investigation was completed, the body was evacuated to Wamena Regional Hospital and arrived at around 15.30 WIT. An initial examination was conducted to determine the victim's medical condition as well as the cause and manner of death. After the examination was completed, the body was handed over to the family. Until now, joint personnel continue to work to uncover and pursue the perpetrators.

A spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), Sebby Sambom, stated that his group was responsible for this attack. Sebby said the information had been reported by the TPNPB-OPM Nduga leader, Egianus Kogoya. In the report he received, the driver who was shot was claimed to be Indonesian military intelligence. "We did this to limit them from entering our territory. Immigrants come in, they become spies and are disguised as TNI or Polri," said Sebby.

Sebby also stressed that all newcomers entering the war zone will be shot. In Papua Pegunungan, the area includes the Trans-Papua road connecting Jayawijaya with several regions such as Nduga, Lanny Jaya, Tolikara, and Yalimo. "That area may only be passed by drivers and passengers who are indigenous Papuans. Apart from that, newcomers working as motorcycle taxi drivers, drivers, and employees will be shot if they enter this zone," said Sebby.

This incident came less than a week after a similar event in Jayawijaya. On Wednesday (9/9/2026), a mob of TPNPB-OPM Egianus Kogoya stopped a group of 11 people from the Jayawijaya Agriculture Office. Eight of them, who were indigenous Papuans, were released. However, three migrants from East Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi were shot dead. Those killed were civil servant candidate Willi Mbuik (24), veterinarian Alfonsius Albinus Mehan (35), and Head of the Livestock and Health Division at the Jayawijaya Agriculture Office Aprida Rapi (49). Aprida and Alfonsius died at the scene, while Willi received medical treatment at Wamena Regional Hospital but was declared dead the same day. TPNPB-OPM claimed the three victims were Indonesian spies.

This series of violence shows a worrying pattern: armed groups are not only targeting security personnel, but also migrant civilians considered part of intelligence. The Trans-Papua road, which is the economic and mobility artery in the highland region, is now at risk of becoming an open conflict zone. The impact is not only on the safety of lives, but also on logistics distribution, public services, and daily economic activity. Local governments and security personnel face a dilemma between law enforcement and the protection of civilians amid sovereignty claims made by separatist groups.

Going forward, the big question is whether the authorities can catch the perpetrators and prevent further escalation, while keeping the Trans-Papua road safe for all users. Without comprehensive handling that addresses the root of the conflict, the cycle of violence in Papua Pegunungan has the potential to keep repeating.