One Police Officer Killed, Two Missing During Drug Raid in Katingan, Central Kalimantan

A bloody incident has marred a narcotics eradication operation in Katingan Regency, Central Kalimantan. A member of the Katingan Police Narcotics Unit, Aipda Yudhi Perdana Putra, was killed, whilst two other personnel were reported missing after facing fierce resistance from the family of a suspected drug dealer in the early hours of Thursday (2/7).

The tragic event occurred in Tumbang Kalemei village during a raid. Katingan Police Chief AKBP Dodik Hartono confirmed the incident and stated that the main focus is currently searching for the two missing officers.

Dodik explained that the operation initially went according to plan. Officers managed to secure one of the suspected narcotics offenders. However, the situation suddenly became tense when the suspect’s family resisted the arrest using sharp weapons, specifically machetes.

‘At the time one of the suspects was secured, the suspect’s family suddenly attacked the officers using machetes. The officers on the ground then took firm and measured action, resulting in the death of one person from the suspected dealer’s family,’ he explained.

This firm action apparently triggered a reaction from other residents who then arrived at the scene. The uncontrollable situation forced the police personnel to attempt to secure themselves whilst trying to control the increasingly heated circumstances.

In the ensuing chaos, Aipda Yudhi Perdana Putra was killed in the line of duty. Meanwhile, the whereabouts of his two colleagues remain unknown. A joint team is conducting intensive searches around the incident site, including combing the river currents in the area.

Following the incident, the security situation in Tumbang Kalemei village is reported to be gradually returning to normal. The family members of the suspect who carried out the attack are known to have fled the scene. To strengthen security and assist in handling the case, 50 personnel from the Central Kalimantan Regional Police have been deployed to the location. The police are also continuing to investigate the sequence of events to uncover the motive and other parties involved in the resistance against state officers.