Inp.polri.go.id - Jayapura. The Central Puncak Sub-Regional Police are currently investigating an assault carried out by Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in the Ilaga Traditional Market, Puncak Regency, which a resident named Lukman Ahmad, 32-year-old, fell victim to the gunfire. There are also suspicions surrounding the KKB's potential involvement in a of arson attacks. "The KKB is also suspected of being involved in arson attacks on buildings on the side of the road in Jenggerpaga Village, Ilaga District, Puncak Regency," said Police Senior Superintendent Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo, the Head of Public Relations of the Papua Regional Police, on Thursday (24/8/23). Delving into the specifics of the incident, Police Assistant Superintendent Nyoman Punia, the Chief of Puncak Sub-Regional Police, explained that the event occurred at approximately 6.40 PM local time. At that moment, the victim was stationed at his stall within the market complex. In a sudden turn of events, the victim recounted hearing approaching footsteps before falling victim to gunfire from an assailant armed with a short-barreled firearm. "When the joint Indonesian Military-Indonesian National Police (INP) forces responded to the sound of the gunshot, the victim was found injured and bleeding from the head, but conscious. Despite security forces conducting a search, the perpetrator was not found at the crime scene and is presumed to have fled," he said. Subsequently, the injured victim was evacuated to the Ilaga Regional General Hospital (RSUD) to receive necessary medical treatment. However, shortly thereafter, the joint forces were alerted to a fire at the Puncak Regional Government's Rice Warehouse, accompanied by the sound of gunshots from a pistol, suspected to be the same weapon used to shoot the victim. The police chief stated that joint forces are in full swing, encompassing stringent measures around the Ilaga Regional General Hospital and continuous patrolling across Ilaga City. An ongoing investigation seeks to unveil both the perpetrators responsible for the two incidents and the motivations underpinning their actions. In dealing with this situation, the joint forces are coordinating and working to maintain a controlled situation. The volatile nature of the area surrounding the Ilaga Traditional Market Complex has raised concerns, prompting the continual implementation of security protocols and patrols, he said. Concluding his statement, he revealed that plans are in motion to transfer the victim for further medical attention to RSUD Timika, scheduled for the morning of the subsequent day. (ndt/pr/nm)