Number of TNI Soldiers Deployed to Papua According to KontraS 2024-2025

According to monitoring by the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), throughout October 2024-September 2025, Papua became the epicenter of violence by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) with 23 incidents.

KontraS stated that the high number of violent acts committed by TNI soldiers in Papua is in line with the massive deployment of TNI personnel to Papua.

"As of October 2024-September 2025, a total of 5,859 TNI soldiers have been sent to Papua for various reasons," KontraS explained in its report.

Of this number, the allocation of personnel is focused on the Republic of Indonesia – Papua New Guinea Border Security Task Force (Satgas Pamtas RI-PNG), totaling 3,270 soldiers.

This is followed by the deployment of troops for Territorial Development Infantry Battalions, comprising 2,108 soldiers; Under Operational Control (BKO) units, with 450 soldiers; and self-sufficiency task forces, with 31 soldiers.

KontraS stated that, referring to the massive violence data in Papua, the deployment of troops to Papua under the pretext of "boosting development" becomes irrelevant.

This is because KontraS believes it contradicts military professionalism, which should focus on defense and not on civilian development affairs, let alone being involved as technical labor in national strategic projects (NSPs).

"This also erodes job opportunities and the scope of movement for civilians, at least those in the vicinity of NSP areas," KontraS explained.