A critically injured Central Sulawesi Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officer, Frist Brig. Eko Wijaya Sumarno, who was involved in a shootout with armed civilians in Kalora village, Poso Pesisir Utara district, last week, passed away on Saturday afternoon, bringing the body count to four.
He died at Undata Palu regional hospital after being transferred from Parigi Hospital on Saturday.
Eko reportedly needed blood type A, but by the time the hospital obtained the blood it was too late.
Friday’s shootout between Brimob personnel and armed civilians also claimed the lives of First Brig. Ruslan, First. Brig. Winarto and First. Brig I Wayan Putra Ariawan and injured First Brig. Siswandi Yulianto and First Brig. Ungguh Wibawa.
According to data from the Indonesia Police Watch (IPW), this year 28 on-duty police officers have died, up from the 20 recorded in 2011. Most of the fatal incidents took place in Papua with 10 victims, Central Sulawesi with five victims and Surakarta, Central Java, with two victims.