Jakarta – A Papuan separatist group held a local police officer hostage for seven hours after confiscating his revolver, local police said Sunday.

Papua police chief Bagus Ekodanto said to kompas.com news portal that the incident occurred Saturday and the officer had since been released. He is currently at the Supiori police station.

According to Ekodanto, the hostage situation arose when undercover intelligence officers were sent to the Amias village to investigate reports a separatist group was harassing local residents.

The officer had been part of the first unit assigned to reach the village, but was apprehended by the group and taken to the residence of the separatist leader, Ekodanto said.

Eventually the officer was released, Ekodanto said, following a negotiation process. The confiscated weapon was not returned.

"Despite this, the Supiori deputy regent has promised to do whatever he can to help secure the return of the weapon," he said.