Jakarta – A group of armed men launched attacks in the Papua regency of Paniai as Indonesia celebrated on Wednesday its 66th Independence Day.

The sound of gunshots has been heard since about 2 a.m. on Wednesday morning in Pagepota and Uwibutu villages in Paniai. There have been no reports of casualties.

"The sound of gunshots ceased for a moment, then was heard again between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.," Markus You, a local resident, said on Wednesday.

He added that the gunshots then continued at 9:30 a.m. in Enarotali, where a ceremony to commemorate Independence Day was being held. "The sound of gunshots can still be clearly heard," he told tempointeraktif.com at about 10 a.m.

The commander of the Indonesian military unit in Papua, May. Gen. Erfi Triassunu, said armed men also attacked police vehicles passing through a mountainous region. He said the unknown group then fled into the woods, and added that they may have intended to disrupt Independence Day celebrations.

Violence has escalated in Papua recently as demands for a referendum on Papua's independence from Indonesia are intensifying.

A group of armed men launched attacks in the Papua regency of Paniai as Indonesia celebrated on Wednesday its 66th Independence Day.