Two Civilians Shot at Baliem Valley Festival in Papua

August 10, 2026 | 01:23 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Two civilians were shot while delivering food to the Baliem Valley Cultural Festival site in Walesi Village, Walesi District, Jayawijaya Regency, Highland Papua, on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The victims have been identified by their initials LMO (43) and S (50).

At the time of the incident, around 12:45 p.m. Eastern Indonesian Time (WIT), both were inside a Mitsubishi Triton vehicle transporting supplies to the festival site. "Shots fired from the side of the vehicle caused injuries to both individuals," stated Senior Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo, Head of the Public Relations Task Force for Operation Damai Cartenz-2026, in a written statement on Sunday evening, August 9, 2026.

Joint Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police (Polri) personnel evacuated the victims to the Wamena Regional General Hospital (RSUD) for treatment. According to Yusuf, both victims remained conscious and are undergoing medical care.

Police have processed the crime scene. Investigators discovered three bullet holes in the victims' vehicle: two in the driver's door and one on the hood. Additionally, police recovered four projectile fragments from the vehicle and eight 5.56mm shell casings from the surrounding area.

Police suspect the shooting was carried out by an armed criminal group, specifically the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), led by Egianus Kogoya, Commander of the Ndugama-Derakma Regional Defense Command (Kodap III). However, investigators stated that this suspicion is still being verified against witness and victim statements, as well as physical evidence.

During the crime scene investigation, officers found three bullet impacts on a Mitsubishi Triton (license plate PA 8418 Z): two on the driver's door and one on the hood. Police also recovered four projectile fragments from inside the vehicle. Meanwhile, in the surrounding area, officers secured eight 5.56mm shell casings, a jacket, and a GLM projectile.

Police intend to cross-reference evidence found at the scene with statements from the victims and witnesses to reconstruct the sequence of events and identify those responsible. "We are continuing our investigation to confirm the identities, roles, and involvement of the suspected parties," said Insp. Gen. Faizal Ramadhani, Head of Operation Damai Cartenz-2026.

According to Faizal, the case is being handled based on investigation findings and applicable legal provisions. He stated that law enforcement is being conducted in a professional, measured, and proportionate manner, while prioritizing public safety.

As reported by Kompas.id, Sebby Sambom, spokesperson for the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM), claimed responsibility for the shooting on behalf of his group. He noted that the Baliem Valley Cultural Festival was held as part of Indonesia's Independence Day celebrations. "Therefore, the event had to be broken up by any means necessary."

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