Post Courier reports that intelligence information from Indonesian officials say militant groups are on a recruitment drive in several provinces in Papua New Guinea.
The recruitment for militia training and taking up arms is to join the fight for West Papua's push for Independence from West Papua.
A fight that has been going on since August 4, 1969 following the controversial Act of Free Choice.
The recruitment are taking place in West Sepik, East Sepik, Madang, Southern Highlands and Western Province, say Indonesian officials.
Papua New Guinea is conducting its own investigations and this followed a public social media video that went viral when a group of men in military camouflages claimed to be from the East Sepik said in "Tok Pisin" they were on a mission to support West Papua gain Independence.
Indonesian officials have told Post Courier that there are West Papuans residing in East Sepik providing military and combat training to those who have been influenced and converted.
Their main launch area will be in West Sepik.
Many years ago in the early to mid 1980's in West Sepik, people at the border from Imonda, Amanab, Bewani and Green River were heavily involved in what was called "wok bembe" to support West Papuans gain Independence.
Men would leave their villages and wives and spend months in the jungles that were quite closed then as opposed to today.
The zeal and passion for the mission may be there and if the intelligence information is true, what would be interesting is how would they engage, as opposed to the 80's.
Indonesia's TNI are reported to have beefed up surveillance and military presence at the border with PNG in West Sepik following the viral video of militant group.
Indonesian officials have also told Post Courier that they are keeping a close eye on West Papua leaders who have in recent times visited PNG.
West Papua Governor who is a Melanesian attempted to cross into PNG at Wutung during Covid-19 lockdown but was stopped and taken back to Jayapura few months back.
He is reported to have wanted to seek medical help in PNG.
A report by the PNG intelligence team will be handed to Prime Minister James Marape, Post Courier says.
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