Missing After Drug Operation in Central Kalimantan, Aiptu Sumaryanto Found Dead
A member of the Katingan Police narcotics unit, Aiptu Sumaryanto, who went missing during a drug eradication operation in Central Kalimantan, has been found dead. His body was discovered in a river.
“One body has been found, that of Aiptu Sumaryanto,” said Brigadier General Eko Hadi Santoso, Director of Narcotics Crime at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, in a written statement on Sunday (5/7/2026).
The body was found in the river in Tumbang Kalemei Village, Katingan Tengah, Central Kalimantan, during a search conducted between 06:00 and 09:30 WIB. The body was located by a search team comprising personnel from the Central Kalimantan Regional Police, Military District Command 1019/Ktg, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), and local residents.
The search operation utilised three rubber boats and eight small motorised canoes to comb the river, the forested riverbanks, and extended to the market in Samba Village from 06:00 WIB. The body was found at around 09:30 WIB.
“The body has been transported by ambulance to Bhayangkara Hospital in Palangkaraya,” Santoso stated.
The incident began with a raid on a drug dealer’s location in Tumbang Kalemei Village, Katingan Tengah District, Katingan Regency, in the early hours of Wednesday (1/7), which met with resistance. During the operation, Aipda Yudhie was killed, while the whereabouts of two other members of the Katingan Police narcotics unit, Aiptu Sumaryanto and Bripda Nopandri Ramadhana, were initially unknown.
Bripda Nopandri was found earlier, also deceased. The search for Sumaryanto continued until his body was discovered today.
The arrest operation involved 12 personnel. Upon arrival at the location, the team split into two groups. One group conducted the raid on the target’s house, while the other stood by at a different location as a support element. During the arrest, the target was successfully secured.
However, the situation escalated when several people inside the house and surrounding residents fought back using sharp weapons, specifically machetes. According to police reports, the crowd grew and attacked the officers with sharp weapons and homemade firearms.
As the situation spiralled out of control, the officers attempted to save themselves while calling for reinforcements. Several officers were forced to swim across a river and take cover in the forest to escape the mob.