Jakarta – Security forces arrested three separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) members following a firefight in the district of Anatowai, Yapen, Papua, Saturday afternoon.

The firefight occurred at around 11 am local time, the Indonesian military (TNI) spokesman, Rear Marshal Sagom Tamboen, told Antara.

"Noone was killed in the incident but we arrested three OPM members," he said. From the three insurgents security officers seized several OPM documents and guns which were now being kept at the local police station.

"We hope the arrested rebels will enable us to know the location of their base and their forces strength and also whether they were connected with the shooting incident that claimed the life of an Australian national early Saturday," he said.

Australian Drew Nicholas Grant (38) was killed after the car he was in with Lia Madandan, Maju Panjaitan and Lukan Jon Biggs was fired at while passing Mile 53 in the area of PT Freeport Indonesia. The fire was believed to have come from a hill.

At the time Lukan was driving the car belonging to PT Freeport when they were suddenly fired at leading to the death of Drew Nicholas Grant. Lia, Maju and Lukan were safe and are now being treated at the local Kuala Kencana hospital.

PT Freeport spokesman Mindo Pangaribuan meanwhile said a police detachment had been sent to the scene to prevent more shooting incidents. "We are deeply sorry over the death of one of our employees in the incident," he said.