A man – reportedly a civilian – was shot dead while driving in a convoy carrying food in Puncak Jaya district in Papua on Saturday.

"As they drove through Kalome village in Tingginambut subdistrict at 12:06 p.m., the car with plate number DW 8496 CA was shot at," Papua Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Sulistio Pudjo told Indonesian news portal kompas.com on Saturday.

Nearly 50 cars formed a convoy from the subdistrict of Mulia in Puncak Jaya toward Wamena in the neighboring district of Jayawijaya. The convoy was reported to be carrying dozens of civilians and seven Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers in addition to the food supplies.

"The driver of the car, Ali Mangalik, 30, immediately died at the scene," Sulistio said, adding that the attack was made by an unknown group of armed men. Police said an investigation was ongoing while officers and TNI soldiers stood guard at the crime scene.