Jakarta – A group of unidentified gunmen attacked police and military troops who were evacuating two injured soldiers from a military post in Yambi area in the Papua highland regency of Puncak Jaya on Saturday.

Puncak Jaya police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Alex Korwa told Antara a police officer, identified as Second Brig. Saumileka, suffered a gunshot wound to his leg during an exchange of fire between the security personnel and the armed group. Alex suspected the gunmen were members of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) separatist rebel group.

The suspected rebels launched an attack on the Yambi military post, about 75 kilometers away from the regency capital of Mulia, which left two soldiers, including platoon commander Second Lt. Agung, injured on Friday night.

The wounded police officer and military soldiers were admitted to Mulia Hospital and may be airlifted to the Papua capital of Jayapura on Sunday.

Alex said the attack on the military post might be related to a raid by security personnel on an OPM base recently, which killed a suspected rebel leader. The raid came after suspected rebels shot three construction workers to death last month.