Jayapura, Papua (Antara Bali) - Papua's regional military commander, Major General Hinsa Siburian, has asked the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Defense Forces to help free the Indonesian citizens being held hostage in the country.
"We have approached the PNG Defense Forces with assistance from the Indonesian consulate in Vanimo," he told Antara on Saturday.
He added that he had asked the PNG Defense Forces to help free the hostages soon by prioritizing their safety.
Until now, the unknown group that has been holding two Indonesian citizens hostage since Wednesday, has not expressed any demand.
The two Indonesians were taken hostage in the Skouwtiau village, which borders Indonesia.
The armed hostage takers had also attacked another civilian identified as Kuba, while he was cutting wood in the village of Skopro, Arso Timur sub-district, Keeromg.
Kuba was wounded and is now being treated at a hospital.
The Indonesian consul in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea, Elmar Lubis, said the PNG Defense Forces had confirmed that two Indonesian citizens were being held hostage by an unknown group in the Skouwtiau village.
"We have received confirmation from the PNG Defense Forces regarding the whereabouts of the two citizens and their condition, which is said to be good," he said in a press statement received here on Saturday.
He added that although their condition was reported to be good, he had still asked the PNG Defense Forces to help assure their safety.
The kidnapped Indonesian citizens have been identified as Sudirman (28) and Badar (30), who were caught by the unknown group while they were cutting wood in the village of Skopro, following the attack on Kuba, who is now treated at a hospital for being shot. ***2***
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Bali 2015
"We have approached the PNG Defense Forces with assistance from the Indonesian consulate in Vanimo," he told Antara on Saturday.
He added that he had asked the PNG Defense Forces to help free the hostages soon by prioritizing their safety.
Until now, the unknown group that has been holding two Indonesian citizens hostage since Wednesday, has not expressed any demand.
The two Indonesians were taken hostage in the Skouwtiau village, which borders Indonesia.
The armed hostage takers had also attacked another civilian identified as Kuba, while he was cutting wood in the village of Skopro, Arso Timur sub-district, Keeromg.
Kuba was wounded and is now being treated at a hospital.
The Indonesian consul in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea, Elmar Lubis, said the PNG Defense Forces had confirmed that two Indonesian citizens were being held hostage by an unknown group in the Skouwtiau village.
"We have received confirmation from the PNG Defense Forces regarding the whereabouts of the two citizens and their condition, which is said to be good," he said in a press statement received here on Saturday.
He added that although their condition was reported to be good, he had still asked the PNG Defense Forces to help assure their safety.
The kidnapped Indonesian citizens have been identified as Sudirman (28) and Badar (30), who were caught by the unknown group while they were cutting wood in the village of Skopro, following the attack on Kuba, who is now treated at a hospital for being shot. ***2***
Editor : I Gusti Bagus Widyantara
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Bali 2015