inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian National Police (INP) mourns the loss of three of its best officers from the Katingan Sub-regional Police Drugs Criminal Investigation Unit, Central Kalimantan Regional Police, while carrying out their duties to eradicate drugs trafficking in Tumbang Kalemei Village, Central Katingan District, Katingan Regency.

The incident began on Wednesday (7/1/2026), after the police received information from the public regarding meth trafficking in Tumbang Kalemei Village. Based on the investigation, officers identified a suspect with the initials BIO, who was known to be a repeat offender in drugs cases.

Acting on this information, the Drugs Unit team, led by the Head of the Katingan Sub-regional Police Drugs Criminal Investigation Unit, proceeded to the location and arrived early Thursday morning. The team then split into two groups, with the main team attempting to arrest the suspect at his residence.

During the arrest, the situation escalated into an armed struggle. Several people at the scene attacked the officers with sharp weapons. Police officers fired warning shots, but the attack continued, prompting measured action to protect the safety of personnel.

The situation escalated when the alleged perpetrator's family and several residents arrived and attacked officers using sharp weapons, homemade firearms, and various dangerous objects. The police team attempted to escape while requesting assistance from the Katingan Sub-regional Police and the Central Katingan Sector Police.

During the rescue effort, nine officers were successfully evacuated. However, three police officers died in the line of duty: Second Police Inspector posthumously Yudhie, Second Assistant Police Inspector (Aipda) posthumously Sumariyanto, and First Brigadier (Briptu) posthumously Nopandri Ramadhana.

As a token of respect for their dedication and sacrifice in carrying out their duties, the Chief of Police awarded the three officers a posthumous Extraordinary Promotion (KPLB) effective July 5, 2026, based on the Chief of Police's Decree on Posthumous Extraordinary Promotion for Police Officers.

The Head of INP Public Relations Division, Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir, expressed his deep condolences for the deaths of the three officers.

"We express our deepest condolences for the deaths of three of the Katingan Sub-regional Police's best narcotics officers while carrying out their anti-narcotics duties. They were true Bhayangkara who sacrificed their lives to protect the public from the dangers of drugs," said Johnny in a statement in Jakarta on Monday (7/6/2026).

Furthermore, Johnny also stated that the police will make sure to complete the drug case investigation in accordance with the law, while also providing support for the families of the fallen personnel.

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