Suspected militants of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) set fire to a middle school in Agandugume, Central Papua, on February 14. Authorities link the attack to the Tenius Kulua, Kalenak Murib, and Lekagak Telenggen factions. Security forces under Operation Peace Task Force (Satgas Damai Cartenz) have launched a manhunt. The incident is part of a rising trend of separatist violence targeting government and economic infrastructure. The Indonesian military (TNI) and police (Polri) have intensified security operations, especially in Puncak, Mimika, and the Freeport mining corridor, where past attacks on contractors and transport convoys have occurred. APAC Assistance provided a comprehensive security risk assessment to clients likely to be affected by the Elevated TPNPB Activity in Papua and Risks to Mining Operations.
Ineffective Security Strategies and Operational Hurdles in Papua
As of late 2023, over 10,250 TNI soldiers and 1,416 police personnel were stationed across Papua, with reinforcements continuing into 2024. Deployments included five new infantry battalions in October and 2,000 additional troops, with 450 in Merauke. In January 2024, 1,057 personnel, including 286 TNI soldiers, were assigned to PT Freeport Indonesia’s Amole Task Force, supplementing existing units rather than replacing them. These deployments aim to secure Freeport’s mining operations.
Despite increased forces, security challenges persist due to intelligence gaps, mobility constraints, and TPNPB’s guerrilla tactics. The group benefits from local support, using sympathetic communities for logistics and intelligence. TPNPB funds its operations through extortion and weapons smuggling, acquiring arms from Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and even corrupt security personnel. Raids have uncovered stolen military-issued weapons and homemade firearms.
Many TPNPB leaders have criminal backgrounds but retain support from highland Papuans who see them as part of the independence struggle. The group maintains a superior strike ratio against TNI forces, using terrain familiarity and hit-and-run tactics. Between 2023 and 2024, at least 20 incidents of infrastructure destruction were recorded, including arson attacks on schools, government buildings, and company assets.
Our Analysis
The arson attack in Puncak is part of the TPNPB’s broader strategy to undermine government control and disrupt economic activities, including mining. The group has increasingly targeted infrastructure such as schools, police posts, government offices, and transport networks to challenge Jakarta’s authority and deter military presence. The recent rise in property destruction suggests a deliberate effort to destabilize the region and force security forces into reactive operations. The attack’s proximity to Freeport’s Mimika operations highlights escalating risks to critical infrastructure and personnel safety.
The TPNPB maintains a superior strike ratio against the TNI, using hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, and urban sabotage, keeping security forces largely defensive. While the Amole Task Force provides a security buffer for Freeport, the risk of further insurgent attacks on mining assets remains high. In recent years, key mining sites have become hotspots of violence, with insurgents consistently targeting supply chains, transport routes, and heavy machinery to disrupt operations.
Contact us today for a comprehensive security risk assessment of the arson attack in Puncak, Elevated TPNPB Activity in Papua and Risks to Mining Operations. We can help you assess tactical risks, insurgent strategies, and security force limitations, and offer actionable recommendations to mitigate threats to personnel, assets, and supply chains in Papua.
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