Rebels Shot Dead Civilians in Papua

Jayapura, Papua (Antara Bali) - Separatists rebels shot five civilians, killing four of them in Sinak, Puncak District, Papua Province, on Thursday.

The five civilians were construction workers who were waiting for an airplane at Sinak airport to take them out of Sinak, reliable sources said here on Friday.

Upon their arrival at the airport, they were shot by unidentified gunmen, seriously injuring one and killing four others.

Senior Commissioner Gede Sumerta of the Papua Provincial Police confirmed about the deaths of the civilians during the deadly shooting by the armed group.

The construction workers who were killed, are identified by their names as Yohanis Palimbong, Markus Cavin, Uly, and Rudy. The injured victim is Yohanis Jhoni.

In addition of the civilians, 12 Indonesian military officers were also shot by the separatist rebels. Seven soldiers were killed and five others survived. (*/DWA/IGT)