Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) announced it is investigating the deaths of at least 12 civilians, including women and children, during a recent military operation in Papua’s central Tudesay district. The fatalities reportedly occurred in the village of Kembu amid an armed enforcement action targeting the TPNPB-OPM, a separatist rebel group active in the easternmost region of the country.

The commission indicated that all the civilian victims died from gunshot wounds sustained during the operation conducted by Indonesian security forces. Several others were also reported wounded. Komnas HAM chairwoman Anis Hidayah said on Sunday that the commission is monitoring the situation closely and has expressed “strong suspicion” that members of the Indonesian military may have been responsible for the civilian deaths.

Attempts to obtain an official response from military representatives were unsuccessful. However, local media cited statements from the military’s Habema task force in Papua, which confirmed the killing of four armed separatist fighters during an “armed contact” in Kembu. The task force also noted that it is investigating reports concerning the death of a child in a nearby village.

Komnas HAM, an independent body operating within Indonesia’s governmental framework, reaffirmed its position that any operation leading to civilian casualties is unacceptable under any circumstances. In a statement, the commission emphasized that attacks on civilians violate both national human rights standards and international humanitarian law, whether these arise in conflict or peacetime, and irrespective of whether the perpetrators are state or non-state actors.

The incident comes amid ongoing tensions and sporadic violence in Papua, where separatist groups have long clashed with Indonesian security forces over autonomy and independence demands. The human rights commission’s involvement highlights continued concerns about the impact of military operations on local populations in the region.