Asologaima Police Station in Papua Highlands Shot at by Unknown Persons
The Asologaima Police Station in Kimbim Village, Jayawijaya, Papua Highlands, was shot at by unknown assailants on Monday morning (17/8).
Head of Operations for the Cartenz Peace Task Force, Inspector General Faizal Ramadhani, said the shooting occurred at around 06:00 WIT. He stated that at least ten bursts of gunfire were heard directed towards the Asologaima Police Station.
“Personnel from the Asologaima Police Station, together with Brimob reinforcements who were on standby, immediately heightened their alertness and responded to the source of the gunfire,” he said in a written statement on Wednesday (19/8).
He explained that officers from the Cartenz Peace Operation Task Force stationed at the Wamena Post were also deployed to the location to provide security support.
Faizal said that based on monitoring and sweeping of the surrounding area, the situation had gradually returned to normal and there were no further security disturbances. Residents’ activities around the location also resumed as usual after the situation was declared safe and under control.
Furthermore, he confirmed that initial checks found no casualties or material damage to the Asologaima Police Station building.
“Personnel from the Law Enforcement Task Force of the Cartenz Peace Operation also provided security support for the crime scene investigation conducted by the Jayawijaya Police Criminal Investigation Unit,” he explained.
“The team also took statements from several witnesses and examined the area suspected to be the origin of the gunfire,” he added.
Faizal said that from the crime scene investigation, officers found footprints and ten 5.56mm calibre shell casings around the location suspected to be the point of origin of the gunfire. All recovered items have been secured by identification personnel from the Jayawijaya Police Criminal Investigation Unit for further investigation.
“We can confirm that personnel on the ground took swift and measured action after receiving information about the shooting disturbance,” he said.
According to him, the handling of the incident did not stop at the initial response. Officers are continuing investigative measures to establish the facts of the incident and identify those responsible.
“We are continuing to deepen our investigation based on the crime scene findings and information obtained in the field. We urge the public to remain calm and not spread unverified information, as the investigation is still ongoing,” he said.