West Papua Insurgents Show Trophy Weapons in New Video Vowing War on Indonesia
The West Papua National Liberation Army has released video of its fighters, pledging to continue their war against Indonesia and displaying trophy weapons that include Indonesian‑made Pindad rifles, AK‑series rifles, and a Pindad pistol.
A fresh video from the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) offers a rare look at an ongoing insurgency on Indonesia’s eastern edge.
In the recording, shared by weapons‑tracking accounts, TPNPB fighters say they will continue their war against Indonesia. The footage shows them carrying a mix of so‑called trophy weapons: Indonesian‑made Pindad SS1‑V1 and SS2‑V1 rifles, an AK‑101, a Type 2 AK‑47, and a Pindad P1 Hi‑Power pistol.
The presence of standard Indonesian service rifles in rebel hands suggests they were captured from security forces or taken from state stockpiles over time. The variety of guns also points to how the group has assembled its arsenal from both local and foreign designs.
For communities in West Papua’s highlands and remote settlements, messages like this are tied directly to conditions on the ground. Long‑running clashes between pro‑independence fighters and Indonesian security forces have brought checkpoints, sporadic ambushes and disrupted movement along roads and small airstrips.
Jakarta regards the TPNPB as a separatist and criminal group and has committed troops, police and intelligence resources to retaining control of the region, which holds significant natural resources.
This latest video underlines that, despite heavy security deployments, the TPNPB can still field armed units and publicise their activities. Any spike in attacks on Indonesian forces or infrastructure, or shifts in security policy toward West Papua, will show whether the group is using this moment to signal a coming escalation or simply to reaffirm its presence.
Sources
- OSINT