Jayapura, Papua, Jan. 4 -- Indonesia's navy has intensified patrols along its maritime border with Papua New Guinea, deploying warships and surveillance assets to curb smuggling and assert sovereignty in waters long vulnerable to cross-border crime, a senior commander said Saturday.

Major General Werijon, commander of the Jayapura-based Naval Regional Command X, said Indonesian warships now routinely patrol border waters to deter criminal activity and reassure coastal communities.

He said the navy is committed to safeguarding all Indonesian waters, particularly sensitive frontier zones with Papua New Guinea, where geography and limited access have enabled illegal trade.

Patrols involve not only Indonesian Navy vessels, known as KRI, bu...