Banjir Ambarita, Jayapura, Papua – Soldiers in Papua's Puncak Jaya district shot dead on Thursday a suspected member of a separatist group and seized a weapon, sources said.

The soldiers, from the Yonif 753 base in Nabire, were on a routine patrol in Puncak Jaya when they were confronted by members of the outlawed Free Papua Movement (OPM).

A shootout ensued and one of the suspected rebels was killed. He was later identified as Lindiron Tabuni and security officials recovered a rifle and 75 rounds of ammunition from the scene.

Ballistics tests showed that the weapon had been registered to the Puncak Jaya Police but was stolen during a 2009 attack on the Tingginambut police office.

Further investigations into the victim showed that he was the son of Goliat Tabuni, the leader of the Puncak Jaya cell of the OPM. Lindiron was immediately interred.

Papua Police spokesman Wachyono did not comment on the incident but said the military was better placed to do so as police were not involved in the shootout. Officials from the military's Cenderawasih Command, which covers Papua province, could not be reached for comment.

The shootout is the latest incident of violence in what is proving to be a bloody start to the year in the restive province.

On New Year's Eve, the home of the deputy head of Paniai district was destroyed in a fire thought to be the work of arsonists. No one was injured. "At the scene of the crime, we found the Morning Star flag," Paniai Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Jannus Siregar said at the time. The flag, a symbol of independence, is outlawed.

On Dec. 12, police attacked a site in Eduda, Paniai, believed to be the headquarters of the local cell of the OPM. The police seized firearms, ammunition, knives, combat gear, documents and separatist flags. According to a man claiming to be from the OPM, 14 guerillas were killed. The OPM's local leader, John Magay Yogi, escaped unharmed.

On Dec. 16, the Indonesia Human Rights Committee said it received reports that people in Paniai were undergoing a "military siege involving horrendous destruction and violence," including the torching of villages, deaths and forced evacuations.