AnyTV News Violent conflict between security forces and rebels in Papua, Indonesia

Image Source: AP
Indonesia police

Jayapura: At least 18 rebels and 2 police officers have been killed in a conflict between security forces and rebel fighters in the disturbed Papua region of Indonesia. Officers and rebellious camps have given information about this on Friday. Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Dwi Prihartono reported that the struggle began on Wednesday when dozens of rebels armed with military category weapons and arrows attacked security forces preparing to provide education and health services in the villages of the violence affected Intan Jaya.

Attack on soldiers ambush

Pihartono said in a video message, “The situation changed when an armed group ambushed dozens of soldiers. Pihartono reported that after the conflict, security forces seized a military rifle, a desi rifle, several arrows, ammunition and a ‘morning star’ flag (symbol of separatism). He claimed that no security personnel were casualties in the struggle.

Fire of free papua movement

Sebi Sambom, spokesperson of the West Papua Liberation Army, the armed branch of ‘Free Papua Movement’, said only three of his fighters have been killed. He claimed that the rest of the deceased were ‘innocent citizens’, who were killed in the firing of the security forces. Sambom said the rebels killed 2 police officers in the neighboring area Punak Jaya on Friday to avenge the death of Bumiwalo Anumbi, a prominent member of the group. Indonesia captured Papua in the early 1960s, after which the rebellion started in the region. (Language)