Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – The remains of three people, who were shot and killed by an armed group in Bremele village, Mewulok district in Puncak Jaya regency, were transported to the Papuan capital Jayapura Wednesday.

The victims – Abdullah, Elimus Ramandey and Hans Ramandey – were employees of PT Modern Group, and were working on the 25-kilometer Mulia-Mewulok highway project when they were shot and killed on Tuesday. About 13 kilometers of the road has been completed.

The company's engineer, Ardi, told reporters at the Sentani Airport that his colleagues were shot on their way to the construction site.

"Three people approached the workers and shook their hands. At that time, two other men appeared and started shooting. Three of my colleagues died on the spot and the rest of us ran for our lives," he said.

Another employee, Paingot Sirait, was shot but managed to escape, has also been evacuated to Jayapura to undergo surgery. Two others escaped unharmed.

"Paingot was shot three times. After he was shot, he ran and fell in a ravine. He was found around 2 kilometers from the scene," Paingot's brother Rudi said in Jayapura.

Ardi said that based on accounts of those who were able to escape, the assailants wore civilian clothing and carried government-issued guns and traditional weapons, such as axes, machetes and bows and arrows. The armed group also torched two trucks, a car, two bulldozers and an excavator.

"The total material losses is estimated at Rp 6 billion [US$660,000)," said Ardi. "Construction work has to be suspended because our heavy machinery has been damaged."

Papua Police spokesman Comr. Agus Rianto said police were currently pursuing the assailants. "They have not yet been caught," he briefly told The Jakarta Post.

So far five people have been killed by unidentified people in Puncak Jaya, including Papua Police Mobile Brigade member Sahrul Mahulau, 23, who was killed on Feb. 15.