Published: · Region: Southeast Asia · Category: conflict

West Papua National Liberation Army video from Tolikara shows fighter with captured Indonesian rifle

West Papua National Liberation Army fighters released a video from Tolikara showing a gunman with a Pindad SS1-V1 rifle wrapped in the West Papuan flag and issuing threats to the Indonesian government.

Fighters from the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) released a new video from Tolikara in Indonesia’s Papua region, threatening the Indonesian government and displaying what appears to be a captured Indonesian‑made rifle.

In the footage, a TPNPB fighter holds a Pindad SS1‑V1 assault rifle with the West Papuan flag tied to the barrel. The flag is a key symbol for independence supporters in the region. The group’s spokesman delivers a warning to Jakarta, and observers noted that he appears to be a fan of the band Avenged Sevenfold, a detail highlighted in commentary on the video.

The clip was shared on social media and flagged by conflict researchers. It is presented by the TPNPB as evidence that its fighters can seize Indonesian security‑force weapons and operate openly in parts of Tolikara.

For local residents in contested districts of West Papua, such public displays often precede or follow security operations. Indonesian forces typically increase patrols and searches after TPNPB videos surface, which can disrupt daily life and reinforce long‑standing grievances over governance and resource control.

Jakarta considers the TPNPB an armed separatist group and has deployed military and police units across the region to contain its activities. The group, for its part, uses images of captured weapons and its flag to project strength and maintain support among sympathisers.

Key signs to watch after this video include any reports of security crackdowns or clashes around Tolikara, efforts by Indonesian authorities to restrict circulation of the footage, and further TPNPB messaging or attacks aimed at showing that the group remains active despite government pressure.

Sources

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