Papua Police Reveal Condition of Two Victims Shot by Unknown Assailants at Baliem Valley Cultural Festival

Papua Regional Police have stated that the victims of a shooting at the Baliem Valley Cultural Festival (FBLB) in Walesi District, Jayawijaya Regency, Papua Pegunungan, are now conscious.

The two victims have been identified as Laode Muhammad Kojo (43), a resident of Jalan Hom-Hom, Wamena, and Salbiah (50), who also comes from the same area.

Head of Public Relations of Papua Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito, said that both were immediately taken home after the shooting by unknown assailants (OTK).

In the incident, Laode suffered a wound believed to have been caused by a gunshot to his right knee, while Salbiah was wounded in her right thigh and the back of her right hand.

“Both victims have received medical treatment and, based on initial reports, are in a conscious condition,” he said in his statement, quoted on Sunday, 9 August 2026.

Cahyo confirmed that a joint TNI-Polri force has taken swift action by handling the scene and pursuing the perpetrators.

“At present, the joint TNI-Polri force is still pursuing the perpetrators,” he said.

As a security measure, the Baliem Valley Cultural Festival has been temporarily suspended. The suspension is intended to give security forces room to handle the situation and ensure that conditions around the location remain safe and conducive.

“We ask the public to remain calm, not to be provoked, and not to spread information whose truth cannot yet be verified. If any member of the public has information related to this incident, please report it immediately to the police so that it can assist the investigation process,” he stressed.