inp.polri.go.id - Jayapura. The Bomb Disposal Team of Papua Regional Police Mobile Brigade Corps discovered a modified pineapple grenade during an initial sweep and sterilization at the site of the explosion, suspected to have originated from a World War II bomb, at the Fisheries Complex in Fandoi Village, Biak Kota District, Biak Numfor Regency.
Officers also found two projectiles with the ammunition had been removed by grinding. All items were then secured to prevent potential harm to the public and personnel still working around the scene.
Biak Numfor Sub-regional Police Chief, Superintendent Ari Trestiawan, explained that this discovery further strengthens the suspicion that hazardous materials remain in the area surrounding the explosion. Therefore, further sterilization and sweeping will continue to be carried out thoroughly to ensure that no hazardous materials remain.
"The Bomb Squad arrived on Monday afternoon and immediately joined the joint team consisting of the Indonesian Military (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (INP), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), and the Regional Government, which has been providing security and handling the aftermath of the explosion since the beginning," he explained on Tuesday (6/2/2026).
Ari stated that the sterilization process is crucial to support the search for the three victims who are still missing.
"We hope the sterilization process can run optimally so that the search for the still-unaccounted-for victims can be conducted safely. Any suspicious objects or explosive materials found should be marked to facilitate the joint team's evacuation and search," said Ari.
Based on information received by the team in the field, he said, the area around the explosion site is known to contain several bunkers and wartime pits suspected of still containing hazardous materials. This situation necessitates careful sterilization using specialized equipment and in accordance with explosives handling standards.
He also urged the public not to touch, move, or dismantle any objects suspected of being war relics. If they find any suspicious objects, they are asked to immediately report them to the nearest police station so they can be handled by specially trained personnel.
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