Jakarta – A thirteen year old resident of Keerom Regency in Papua Province was shot to death by Indonesian military personnel patrolling the border between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea on Monday afternoon (22/6).

A local tribal chief in Arso District Servo Tuamis said Isak Pesakot was killed in a chase by Indonesian troops when returning from Skoscahu Village in Papua New Guinea territory after a visit to his relatives.

Servo said that Isak and two of his relatives were walking across the border, following his parents, after visiting relatives to settle a tribal land compensation matter with a business in Papua New Guinea.

Residents in the border area between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea have family relations and maintain their relationship despite the political separation. Servo said that traveling across the border without passports or other identification is common among residents near the border.

Servo said indonesian troops chased and shot the three Arso tribe members and ceased fire only after Arso onlookers shouted to the troops that they were Indonesian citizen.

Spokesman for the XVII Cendrawasih Military Command, Lieutenant Colonel Susilo, confirmed the shootings. (Tjahjo EP/Antara)