Three Indonesian police officers were killed during a raid on an illegal cockfighting gambling ring in Way Kanan Regency, Lampung. Two Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel, Chief Warrant Officer Lubis and Chief Corporal Basar, have since surrendered to authorities.
The incident occurred as a team of 17 officers, led by Negara Batin Police Chief First Inspector Lusiyanto, raided the illegal arena. Lubis reportedly opened fire, fatally shooting Lusiyanto, Chief Brigadier Petrus Apriyanto, and Second Brigadier M. Ghalib Surya Ganta. The suspects turned themselves in hours after the attack and are now in military custody.
The Sriwijaya II Military Command has launched an internal investigation into potential military involvement in the operation. The National Police Commission has called for a thorough probe, urging authorities to investigate not only the attackers but also the illegal gambling syndicate behind the cockfighting ring.
Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, condemned the killings as a “heinous attack” and stressed that the perpetrators should face the maximum penalty under the law. Under Indonesian law, premeditated murder is punishable by death.
Indonesia maintains a strict ban on gambling, with offenders facing up to 10 years in prison and fines of 25 million rupiah (US$1,520). Authorities have linked gambling addiction to rising crime and an increase in high-interest loans.
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Technology has blocked over 5.7 million online gambling-related items since 2017. In January 2025 alone, 43,063 such items were removed. The government has also introduced AI-driven systems to detect and shut down gambling websites and apps.
In December 2024, officials met with financial regulators and mobile operators to discuss further measures, including public awareness campaigns and restrictions on gambling-related payments via phone credits.
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