Tolikara shooting injures police officer in Papua

A police officer, Bripda Jhon Galu Situmorang, was seriously injured during a shooting in the Tolikara Regency of Papua Pegunungan on Thursday, August 20, 2026. The attack occurred near the Kuari Bridge in Kampung Umage while a police convoy was conducting observation activities. Gunfire from a high vantage point struck the official vehicle and wounded the officer in the left thigh.

The victim was evacuated through several hospitals, including RSUD Karubaga and RSUD Jayawijaya, before being flown to RS Bhayangkara in Jayapura for critical care. Authorities believe the attack was carried out by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) led by Ternus Enumbi. The Damai Cartenz Task Force is currently conducting searches in the hilly and forested terrain to locate the perpetrators.

Separately, the National Counter Terrorism Agency (BNPT) stated that the actions of the KKB in Papua do not fall under the legal definition of terrorism according to Law No. 5 of 2018. BNPT Head Eddy Hartono explained that because these incidents do not meet the specific legal criteria for terrorism, they are handled under the Criminal Code (KUHP).