Lisbon – Pro-Indonesian militiamen launched a manhunt for an East Timorese resistance activist in the territory's capital, Dili, Monday night, with paramilitary groups surrounding four of the city's neighborhoods.

Independence activist David Ximenes told Lusa by telephone that militias were attacking houses in the Becora market zone, trying to caputure a member of the resistance, identified only as Joao Bras.

A member of UNAMET in Dili told Lusa the UN mission had been alerted to the incidents but said he had no further information.

A Dili resident, also contacted by telephone from Lisbon, said anti-independence militants had surrounded the southern neighborhoods of Pite, Suricmas, Delta Comoro and Fatumeta.

Using masks and armed with pistols and traditional weapons, the militias set up roadblocks and were controlling all movement in and out of the area, forcing residents to remain in their houses.

The militia action followed the firing of four gunshots in the zone, the source said, adding that the Indonesian military appeared to be aiding the paramilitaries. The source did not know the origin of the gunfire.