Jakarta – Three employees of the Jayawijaya Regency Government, Highland Papua, were shot dead by an armed criminal group (KKB) while traveling to inspect a rice field development project site. The Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) has expressed its condolences.
“The extended family of the Ministry of Home Affairs conveys its deepest condolences and sorrow over the deaths of three civil servants who were carrying out their duties,” said Benni Irwan, Head of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Information Center, to detikcom on Saturday (Sept 12, 2026).
Benni asked the public to pray for the three victims. He entrusted the handling of the case entirely to the authorities to ensure a thorough investigation.
“Moving forward, let us leave it to the competent authorities to resolve matters in accordance with their respective jurisdictions,” Benni said.
Shot by 8 Individuals
The shooting occurred on a road in Muliama District on Wednesday (Sept 9) at approximately 15:53 ​​WIT. Initially, the victims and their colleagues—employees of the Jayawijaya Agriculture Agency—were heading to the project site.
“A group of 11 Jayawijaya Regency Agriculture Agency employees had traveled from Wamena to Muliama District to inspect the implementation of the rice field development project,” said the Head of Operation Damai Cartenz, Inspector General Faizal Ramadhani, in a statement on Wednesday (Sept 9).
While the victims were en route, the armed criminal group (KKB) opened fire on the convoy. Three Jayawijaya Agriculture Agency employees were struck by the perpetrators’ gunfire. The three victims—identified as WB (24), AR (49), and AAM (35)—were reported dead.
“Based on the investigation and further inquiry, the shooting is suspected to have been carried out by an armed criminal group (KKB) from the Nduga region,” he stated. The police processed the crime scene on Thursday (September 10) in connection with the deaths of the three Jayawijaya Regency administration employees. They have also obtained descriptions of the alleged shooters, who are believed to number eight individuals.
