JAKARTA: Two suspected members of an armed separatist group were killed in a shootout with Indonesian military personnel in Nduga regency, Highland Papua province, on Friday (Oct 23), the military said.
The clash occurred near Nonggoloit village in Kenyam district during a patrol by troops from the Habema Operations Command.
Brig. Gen. Riyanto, commander of the Habema Operations Command, said the patrol was conducted following reports of an armed group's presence near a residential area.
The group allegedly opened fire as troops approached the area, triggering an exchange of gunfire, Riyanto said.
Two suspected members of the Ndugama-Nderakma armed group were found dead at the scene, while other members fled, he said, adding that the identities of the deceased were still being verified.
Troops seized two air rifles, bows and arrows, bladed weapons, 18 mobile phones, communication equipment, documents, group insignia and 88 million rupiah (about US$4,800) in cash. - Xinhua
