Papua: Armed group member killed in gunfight near airport runway

Jayapura, Papua A suspected member of an armed Papuan group was killed in a gunfight with Indonesian military and police personnel near the runway of Ilaga Airport in Puncak District, Papua Province on Friday.

Chief of the public relations division of the Papua Provincial Police, Senior Commissioner Ahmad Kamal, confirmed the gun battle and said it lasted for two and a half hours.

“The gunfight began when armed criminal group members opened fire at Air Force’s Special Force (Paskhas) officers assigned at the Ilaga Airport,” he informed.

Upon receiving the news, personnel from the Puncak police precinct and the Indonesian Army rushed to assist the Paskhas officers, he said.

Citing a report from the Puncak police precinct, Kamal said five armed rebels were involved in the gunfight.

He said the identity of the slain member of the armed group remained unknown.

“We are still awaiting a report from the Puncak police precinct,” he informed.

Source: Antara News