Indonesia detains 26 Chinese nationals after attack on soldiers during West Kalimantan training exercise

Indonesia has detained dozens of Chinese nationals following an attack on Indonesian military personnel during a training exercise in Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan, authorities said on 16 December 2025, as investigations continue into the incident, the role of the mining company involved and the legal status of the foreign workers.

The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) confirmed that four soldiers from the Combat Engineer Battalion (Zipur) 6/Division Unit were attacked on 14 December while conducting unit training on land owned by gold mining firm PT Sultan Rafli Mandiri (SRM). The incident occurred at around 3:40 p.m. local time.

According to the Head of Information of the XII/Tanjungpura Regional Military Command, Infantry Colonel Yusub Dody Sandra, the confrontation began after soldiers received a report from PT SRM security personnel about a drone flying near the training area.

Upon investigation, the soldiers found four foreign nationals from Beijing operating the unmanned aircraft.

“When they were questioned, 11 other foreign nationals suddenly appeared and attacked the soldiers,” Yusub said in a written statement. The attackers were suspected of carrying machetes, airsoft guns and an electric shock device.

Outnumbered, the soldiers withdrew to the company’s operational area to prevent further escalation and reported the incident to their superiors. The TNI said there were no fatalities or injuries among its personnel. However, material damage was reported, including severe damage to a company-owned Toyota Hilux and a Honda Vario motorcycle belonging to a PT SRM employee.

Separately, the Directorate General of Immigration confirmed that 26 Chinese nationals have been detained and are currently being held at the Ketapang Immigration Office. Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman said officers are verifying the detainees’ immigration documents and coordinating with other agencies.

“Our central office team has been deployed to Ketapang to assist local immigration officers, with support from the police and the TNI,” Yuldi said at a press conference in Jakarta on Dec. 16. “All foreign nationals who have been secured are undergoing verification of their immigration status.”

Yuldi said the number of detainees could rise, as authorities believe a total of 34 foreign nationals were present at the mining site. Some were not detained during the initial operation because they were in Pontianak to extend visas, receiving medical treatment, or staying at accommodation in the Tumbang Titi area.

Immigration officials are also investigating the sponsors responsible for bringing the foreign nationals into Indonesia, while alleged acts of vandalism and violence are being handled separately by the Ketapang Regional Police.

The motive behind the attack and the purpose of the drone flight near the military training location remain under investigation, including whether the foreign nationals had the required permits to operate in the area.

Meanwhile, PT SRM questioned the presence of TNI personnel in the mining area, which it claims is the subject of an ongoing legal dispute. PT SRM Director Li Changjin said the company was surprised by the involvement of the military while the status of the mine is still being examined by the State Administrative Court and investigated by the police.

“Why is the TNI involved in occupying a mine that is allegedly illegally controlled, when the case is still under legal process?” Li said in a written statement.

Li confirmed that Chinese nationals were employed by the company as technical staff to operate drones in the mining area, but denied that PT SRM employees had attacked TNI personnel. He argued that the area was not a restricted military zone and questioned the prohibition on drone operations at the site.

Li also claimed that drones and mobile phones belonging to the technical staff were confiscated by TNI personnel and that recordings were deleted before the equipment was returned, leaving the workers frightened. He further denied allegations that the company’s staff carried weapons or damaged vehicles.

In addition, Li rejected claims that an individual identified as Imran Kurniawan was PT SRM’s chief of security, saying he had no affiliation with the company and was being investigated by the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit for allegedly attempting to illegally take control of the mining operation using falsified documents.

Authorities have yet to draw conclusions on responsibility for the violence, as investigations into the incident, the mining site’s legal status and the activities of the foreign nationals continue.