Brimob Exchanged Gunfire with Armed Criminal Group During Evacuation of Freeport Employee

Two employees of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) fell victim to gunfire from an armed criminal group (KKB) in the Grasberg mining area, Tembagapura, Mimika, with one person identified as Simson Mulia (49) killed. The evacuation process was marked by a firefight between Brimob personnel and the KKB.

“During the evacuation and security operations, it was reported that a firefight occurred between the Brimob Amole Task Force and the armed group in the vicinity of the location,” said Head of Public Relations at Mimika Police Station, Iptu Hempy Ona.

The evacuation process was led by Chief of Criminal Investigation at Tembagapura Police Station, Ipda Akhmad Y Wiratama. He was accompanied by four members of Tembagapura Police Station who also conducted investigation of the crime scene.

“The police are currently conducting further investigations to identify the perpetrators of the shooting. Preliminary indications point to the involvement of an armed criminal group believed to still be in the vicinity of the Grasberg area,” he stated.

For his part, Hempy urged the public to remain calm and not be easily influenced by information whose veracity cannot be confirmed. He noted that authorities are continuing efforts to pursue the perpetrators.

“Security forces will also continue to strengthen security measures and undertake law enforcement steps to maintain security stability in the Mimika region, particularly in the Tembagapura area and its surroundings,” said Hempy.