Wamena, Wednesday, May 28, 2025 — The security situation in the Papua Highlands region has once again been shaken following a shooting by an unidentified assailant targeting a member of the Indonesian National Police. This time, the victim was a traffic unit officer from the Jayawijaya Police Department, Bripka Marsidon Debataraja, who was shot while inside an official police vehicle in front of the Emergency Room (ER) of Wamena Regional Hospital (RSUD), located on Trikora Street, Jayawijaya Regency, around 7:14 PM local time (WIT).
According to gathered information, the incident occurred shortly after Bripka Marsidon and his colleague, Aipda Bakri Sidikun, had transported a traffic accident victim from JB Wenas Street to the ER of Wamena Hospital. As the two officers were about to return to the Jayawijaya Police Headquarters in their official traffic unit vehicle, an assailant suddenly fired shots from outside the hospital fence along Trikora Street, striking Bripka Marsidon.
The shooter is suspected to have used a long-barreled firearm and fled the scene on a motorcycle. Aipda Bakri Sidikun immediately evacuated the victim to the ER for emergency medical treatment.
Upon receiving the report, the Jayawijaya Police Chief promptly arrived at the scene with personnel to secure the hospital area and visit the victim. Officers were ordered to remain on high alert at both the police headquarters and Wamena Hospital.
At 7:40 PM WIT, the Inafis Team from the Jayawijaya Police Criminal Investigation Unit conducted a crime scene investigation and secured several pieces of evidence, including:
Four 5.56 mm bullet casings
The official traffic unit vehicle (a Toyota Kijang, license plate XVII 1101-29), which sustained serious damage:
4 bullet holes in the windshield
2 bullet holes in the metal panel behind the driver’s seat
In response to the incident, personnel from the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force quickly took action. A patrol sweep was led by AKP Budi Basrah (Commander of Brimob Battalion D) and IPDA I Gede Cipta Adi P. (Intel Deputy Head), supported by Brimob Battalion C personnel using tactical vehicles (rantis), targeting several high-risk areas in Wamena City.
Commenting on the attack, Chief of the Cartenz Peace Operation, Police Brigadier General Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, S.Sos., S.I.K., M.H., accompanied by Deputy Chief Kombes Pol. Adarma Sinaga, S.I.K., M.Hum., stated:
“Our officer was shot while on duty, transporting a traffic accident victim to Wamena Hospital. This is a heinous criminal act that cannot be tolerated. We will take firm action and hunt the perpetrator until they are captured. There will be no safe haven for armed criminals who terrorize the people of Papua,” Brig. Gen. Faizal Ramadhani emphasized.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Chief of the Cartenz Peace Operation, Kombes Pol. Yusuf Sutejo, S.I.K., M.T., urged the public to remain calm and not panic, assuring that the police will fully handle the investigation.
“We call on all residents, especially in Wamena and Jayawijaya, to remain calm and not be provoked. Trust the police to work professionally to uncover the perpetrator and maintain public safety. The state is present, and security forces are fully prepared to protect stability and ensure the safety of the Papuan people,” said Kombes Pol. Yusuf Sutejo.
As of now, the victim remains under intensive medical care. Additional Brimob forces have been deployed to ensure security in Wamena, and the pursuit of the shooter continues under the coordination of the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force and Jayawijaya Police.
