Shooting at Baliem Valley Cultural Festival Leaves 2 Injured

Two civilians were wounded in a shooting incident at the entrance of the Baliem Valley Cultural Festival in Papua Pegunungan, Indonesia, on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The attack forced authorities to evacuate festival visitors, including foreign nationals, to the Jayawijaya Regency Office.

The shooting happened around 12:45 PM local time. The victims, identified as LMO, 43, and S, 50, sustained injuries from shots fired from the side of their vehicle, according to Chief Commissioner Yusuf Sutejo of the Damai Cartenz-2026 Operation Public Relations Task Force.

Combined TNI and Polri personnel secured the area immediately after the shooting was reported. They evacuated victims and attendees to a safer location before transporting them to the Jayawijaya Regency Office. The Jayawijaya Resort Police Criminal Investigation Unit and the Damai Cartenz-2026 Operation Task Force are processing the crime scene.

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Shots from the side of the vehicle caused both of them to be injured.

Investigators found three bullet impacts on the victims' car, two on the driver's door and one on the hood, along with three projectile fragments. Eight 5.56 millimeter shell casings, one grenade launcher projectile, and a jacket were recovered near the scene. These findings will be analyzed alongside witness statements to identify the perpetrators.

Initial investigations suggest the shooting was carried out by the KKB Kodap III Ndugama-Derakma armed criminal group, led by Egianus Kogoya. Police are also examining the potential involvement of two individuals, identified only by the initials EG and PN, believed to be members of this group. The investigation is ongoing to determine responsibility for the attack.

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The investigation is ongoing to ascertain who is responsible for the shooting.