Jakarta – The Army is planning to increase its personnel at security posts in Papua province, particularly in the Tinggi-nambut area in Puncak Jaya regency, to counter separatist attacks there.

More soldiers will sent in from Papua's Trikora Military Command, Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Brig. Gen. Christian Zebua told Antara news agency on Saturday. "(The soldiers to be sent there) are still 'organic' personnel from the local military command, not from outside Papua," he said.

He added the increased security was to prevent more possible attacks by members of the Free Papua Organization (OPM). Christian said OPM rebels had several times attacked military posts in Tingginambut, with the latest attack occurring on Friday night.

"But we didn't try to launch a brutal counterattack until Saturday afternoon, when TNI soldiers were ambushed there and fled," he said. He added the Army was still hunting down the gunmen with help from police in Puncak Jaya, a stronghold of OPM members.