It comes amid reports that the deepening conflict between the pro-independence Papuan fighters and Indonesian forces has caused cases of mass displacement of village communities in Highland Papua and nearby regions. Regarding Sunday’s attack, the West Papua National Liberation Army, or TPNPB, confirmed it killed the five Indonesian workers at their camp in Tolikara Regency, alleging they were Indonesian intelligence agents disguised as construction workers. Last year, in April, sixteen Indonesians described as illegal gold miners were shot dead by TPNPB forces in Yahukimo District, also in Highland Papua. According to Human Rights Monitor, Indonesian military operations in response to the killing of Goselin has resulted in killings of three Papuan civilians in the Korowai region in the last eight days. It said that as of late June 2026, more than 125,931 civilians across multiple regencies remained internally displaced due to military operations and armed conflict.