Tolikara, Highland Papua – A police officer from Ilu Police Sector, Puncak Jaya Police Resort, Bripda Jhon Galu Situmorang, sustained a gunshot wound when a group of police personnel was traveling through an area near Kuari Bridge, Umage Village, Umage District, Tolikara Regency, on Thursday (August 20, 2026).
Head of the Public Relations Task Force of Operation Peace Cartenz-2026, Kombes Pol. Yusuf Sutejo, S.I.K., M.T., confirmed the incident involving Bripda Jhon Galu Situmorang, a member of Ilu Police Sector, in an interview on Friday (August 21).
“The incident occurred along the main road from Puncak Jaya to Tolikara, near Kuari Bridge, Umage Village, Umage District, Tolikara Regency, when personnel from Ilu Police Sector were conducting observation activities. They were suddenly attacked with gunfire from an elevated position. The gunfire struck the roof of the official vehicle, including the emergency light, which was damaged, while one bullet struck Bripda Jhon Galu Situmorang in his left upper thigh,” said the Head of the Public Relations Task Force of Operation Peace Cartenz-2026.
He added that immediately after the incident, the team prioritized the rescue of the injured officer and transported him to a medical facility for treatment.
“At that time, our immediate priority was to rescue the victim because the bullet remained lodged in his body and had not yet been removed. The victim was then taken to Karubaga Regional General Hospital. Due to limited medical facilities, he was subsequently evacuated to a regional hospital in Jayawijaya Regency. However, this afternoon, the victim was evacuated to Jayapura for further treatment at Bhayangkara Hospital because his condition had deteriorated,” he continued.
Regarding the suspected perpetrators, the Head of the Public Relations Task Force stated that identification and investigation were still underway to determine those responsible for the shooting.
“Based on the results of our identification and investigation, the perpetrators are suspected to be members of the armed criminal group led by Ternus Enumbi,” he said.
“Besides evacuating the victim, personnel also conducted a sweep around the crime scene and continued the investigation toward the surrounding areas. The terrain presents significant challenges, with cliffs on one side, elevated ground on the other, and dense forest in the area, requiring considerable effort during the operation,” he explained.
The Head of the Public Relations Task Force said that based on the condition of the official vehicle used by the personnel, the team suspected that the attack was specifically directed at security personnel.
“The target was security personnel because the victim and other personnel were using an official vehicle, making them easily identifiable. There were numerous bullet impacts, particularly on the roof of the vehicle,” he explained.
“The security situation in Tolikara Regency has been relatively vulnerable over the past month. Last month, there was also an incident in which road workers became victims,” he concluded.
Head of Operation Peace Cartenz-2026, Inspector General of Police Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, S.Sos., S.I.K., M.H., said that the task force, together with local police units, had taken immediate measures to ensure the victim received medical treatment and continued developing the investigation to identify those responsible for the shooting.
“Our priority is to ensure that the victim receives optimal medical treatment. After that, the investigation will continue to identify those responsible based on the facts and information obtained,” said the Head of Operation Peace Cartenz-2026.
Deputy Head of Operation Peace Cartenz-2026, Senior Commissioner of Police Adarma Sinaga, S.I.K., M.Hum., said that the investigation was continuing to obtain a comprehensive picture of the incident.
“Every piece of information obtained will be verified and further developed to establish who was responsible for the incident. The investigation is being conducted based on facts, statements, and evidence obtained throughout the process,” explained the Deputy Head of Operation Peace Cartenz-2026.
In addition to developing the investigation into the shooting, security personnel are also monitoring information regarding the potential for further incidents that could disrupt public security and order in Tolikara and surrounding areas. Preventive measures are being taken while continuing to prioritize the safety of both the public and personnel.
The public is urged to remain calm and not be easily provoked by unverified information. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to report it to security authorities through the available channels.
The Operation Peace Cartenz-2026 Police Task Force emphasized that the case is being handled professionally, proportionately, and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, while continuing to prioritize the safety of the public and security personnel.
