Jakarta – Police and military personnel engaged in a gunfight on Wednesday with an unidentified armed group in Indawa village, Lany Jaya, Papua, while en route to Pirime to investigate a recent attack against a police post.

No casualties were reported following the incident. National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said on Thursday that the shootout lasted two hours and ended when the armed group fled to nearby mountains.

Boy said the incident began when a group of 90 security officers, led by Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian, came across 50 or so people who were allegedly carrying firearms. When the officers attempted to approach them, they started firing their guns at the officers, he added.

Boy said that when the armed engagement ended, the security forces continued their journey to Tiom district. "The police decided not to chase after the attackers because it was already dark and they were not familiar with the environment," he said as quoted by kompas.com.

Dozens of armed people reportedly attacked and burned down the Pirime police station, which resulted in the deaths of three officers – including Pirime police chief Second Insp. Rofli Takubesi – and left two officers seriously injured. (cor/swd)